David Wilkie-Thorburn, 52, an assistant procurator fiscal for Grampian Highlands and Islands, allegedly sent a message to a woman that was “grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character”, The Press and Journal reports.

He is accused of sending the woman messages in the context of an employment dispute between her and another man, telling her he was the “head of prosecution” and was “responsible for making prosecution decisions on HMRC, serious fraud and immigration cases”.

A trial date has been set at Aberdeen Sheriff Court for October 29.