Clothes claims head avoids court

Rae Angus stood down from Aberdeen College earlier this year

A former college head who faced charges thought to relate to inappropriate clothing will not face court, the BBC Scotland news website can reveal.

Rae Angus, who stood down from his post at Aberdeen College after 16 years, was reported over an alleged breach of the peace earlier this year.

Grampian Police visited an address in Newburgh after residents' complaints.

A spokeswoman for the procurator fiscal in Aberdeen said there had been a "diversion from prosecution".

Mr Angus, 61, took up the post at Scotland's biggest college in 1993.

His decision to stand down was announced in February, and the allegations emerged shortly afterwards.

He was reported to the procurator fiscal in connection with the incident.

It was believed that the allegation against Mr Angus related to the wearing of inappropriate clothes.

The spokeswoman for the procurator fiscal in Aberdeen told the BBC Scotland news website: "A report was received in relation to a 61-year-old male in connection with an allegation of breach of the peace.

"This case has been dealt with by diversion from prosecution.

"No court proceedings will be taken in this matter."

'Unrivalled legacy'

Margaret Donald, chair of the board of Aberdeen College, earlier said: "Mr Angus leaves a legacy that is unrivalled in education; under his leadership and direction, Aberdeen College has become the most successful of its kind in the country."

The decision whether or not to prosecute cases rests with the procurator fiscal service.

Diversion from prosecution can see cases referred to the local Criminal Justice Social Work Service for diversionary measures.

It is aimed at avoiding people facing what are seen as minor charges being brought into the full criminal justice and court system.

However, if an accused fails to comply with the terms of the diversion the fiscal has the option of taking the case to court.