TWO court cases collapsed last week because witnesses claimed they were too drunk to remember the crimes.

Sheriff John Hamilton reduced one 17-year-old alleged assault victim to tears when he challenged her over contradictory statements while under oath.

And he told another witness to "get out" after causing an allegation of racist abuse of a train ticket examiner to collapse.

The cases, last Wednesday, both resulted in acquittals when the crown was forced to withdraw the charges.

In the first case, Caroline Crossan, formerly of the Milton Estate, Alexandria, and now at the Safe As Houses project in Clydebank, was alleged to have shouted racial abuse at a ScotRail member of staff at Balloch rail station on May 28, while on bail.

The first witness told the court: "I don't remember where I was that day. I had been drinking."

Fiscal depute Martina McGuigan asked: "Do you remember if you were with anyone that day?"

The man replied: "No. I had been drinking quite heavily most days."

Ms McGuigan said she had nothing further to ask and Sheriff Hamilton told the witness: "You can go. Get out."

The crown said they were not seeking a conviction and Ms Crossan was acquitted and left the dock.

Later on Wednesday morning, John Crawford, of Kane Street, Renton, stood trial for allegedly assaulting a 17-year-old girl by striking her on the head with his hand on February 25 in Main Street.

The teenager told the court she had been at a house party drinking and started arguing with one of her pals "over a boy".

They later left and the girl said: "It's all a big blur. I remember speaking to the police but I can't remember what I said to them."

Ms McGuigan asked: "Why did the police turn up?"

The teenager replied: "Someone must have heard us [arguing] and called the police."

At this point the teen threw her head back slightly smiling and Sheriff Hamilton burst out: "Do not smile! It's not funny! You're under oath."

The girl said: "I'm telling the truth."

But the sheriff replied: "I will be the judge of that."

The witness burst into tears and her mother got up from the public benches and strode confidently towards her daughter in the witness box even as the sheriff, court officers and police constable tried to stop her.

Eventually the woman was prised off and escorted from the courtroom.

The teenager was also taken out for some minutes before returning and Ms McGuigan insisting she was not trying to upset her. An incident had been reported to the police and it had to be pursued.

The girl told the court: "I don't remember police turning up. I only remember speaking to police when they took me home. My mum called up the next day to ask if I could withdraw my statement because I was too drunk.

"I don't remember giving a statement to the police."

Referring to her friends and family, she added: "It's not been brought up at all. It's not been spoken about by anyone."

Ms McGuigan sat down and said she had nothing further, withdrawing the libel against Mr Crawford.

Sheriff Hamilton, exasperated, acquited Mr Crawford, who was returned to custody where he is serving a sentence on another matter.