Man accused of stair-push murder found not guilty

A man accused of murdering another man by pushing him down stairs in Aberdeenshire almost 10 years ago has been cleared.

Tristan Simpson, 46, denied killing Robert Parks, 59, in Oldmeldrum in 2014.

His death was not treated as suspicious at the time, but an arrest was made in 2021 after police received new information and launched an investigation.

A jury at the High Court in Aberdeen returned a not guilty verdict on Thursday afternoon after a three-day trial.

After the verdict, Mr Simpson spoke of his relief.

"It was a tragic accident," he said.

"I know I wasn't guilty."

After deliberating for just over an hour, the jury returned the not guilty verdict to the murder charge by a majority.

Six other assault charges were earlier dropped.

Judge Lady Drummond told him: "You have, by this jury, been found not guilty, you have been acquitted, you are free to go."

Mr Simpson said thank you as he left the dock.

Mr Parks was found seriously injured in Oldmeldrum on 3 May 2014, and died in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary later that day.