FORMER death row Scot Kenny Richey will be allowed to stay in America after Scottish prosecutors dropped charges against him claiming he stole a handbag from a pub.
The 45 year-old ex-marine had quit Scotland for the States to see his dying father Jim, but faced the prospect of having to jet home to Edinburgh to appear in court.
As well as a theft charge hanging over his head, he was also accused of acting aggressively towards police after being arrested in March.
But yesterday he was cleared of his last remaining criminal case in Scotland.
Last night Richey was uncontactable by telephone, but a warrant was issued in court yesterday for his co-accused, Ronald Mathieson, 43, who previously admitted the theft.
Richey was arrested on March 26 after the alleged theft from the Artisan Bar in the capital’s London Road.
He appeared in court the following morning to deny the charge and was released on bail.
Mr Mathieson, of Springfield Road, South Queensferry, failed to show up at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday.
Sheriff Derrick McIntyre called for him to appear on an arrest warrant.
