Angiolini in dock over cop charge.

Byline: MARION SCOTT

SCOTLAND'S law chief Elish Angiolini has come under fire for prosecuting a police officer who defended his son during a knife attack.

The Lord Advocate has been ordered to explain why Sergeant David Beattie was put on trial while charges were dropped against the thug who stabbed him and his son Callum, 20.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court last week, a jury found the 47-yearold policeman, his son and son's pal, Jamie Clements, 28, not guilty of assaulting Edward Sweeney in Blairdardie, Glasgow, in August 2008.

Sgt Beattie was accused of knocking Sweeneyunconscious with a brick after seeing his son being attacked by the knifeman, who also attacked him. Sweeney was charged with stabbing the father and son - but the case was dropped.

The Crown Office said the decision was taken "after careful consideration of all the available facts and circumstances".

Labour Justice Secretary Richard Baker said: "The Crown must g i v e a f u l l explanation for taking the matter to court - I will be demanding a review.

"If someone is attacking your family with a knife, you have the right to defend them and yourself."

Tory justice spokesman Bill Aitken said: "It seems extraordinary that a number of assaults with a knife have taken place and the person allegedly involved is not prosecuted."

CAPTION(S):

Trial: David Beattie