AN ACTING lieutenant colonel who had his life “turned upside down” by a sexual assault claim has walked free from court.
Samuel Hughes, 38, went to the bar in the Ubiquitous Chip, in Glasgow’s Ashton Lane on November 14 2014, after he had been on a date.
He ended up speaking to the woman who later accused him of sexual assault, and her then-girlfriend.
Lawyers for the high-ranking officer are now looking to have the woman prosecuted for perjury.
Mr Hughes described how the female was joking with him for being “military”, and that she told him to be “more flamboyant” and touched his chest area.
He told the court that in a “slightly camp” manner, he touched her back again on the chest area, and said “oh stop it”.
The officer denied touching her breast in the west end pub, as was alleged.
Sheriff David Young QC found Mr Hughes not guilty of sexually assaulting the woman.
He accepted Mr Hughes’ account that he mimicked the woman’s actions towards him.
In a statement released by his lawyer Aamer Anwar, Mr Hughes said: “I always try to live my life by the Army’s code of honour and respect, but over a year ago this person almost destroyed my life with this hideous and false allegation.
“Whilst she had the benefit of anonymity, my life was turned upside down and all that I had worked for put at risk.
“I am grateful to my lawyers and to the army for their support. I am just relieved that justice has finally been done.”
Mr Anwar said: “I am instructed to write to the Crown to raise the serious allegation of perjury with regards to the complainer.”
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