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| - A judge on Monday formally acquitted Scotland's former first minister Alex Salmond of one charge of sexual assault after prosecutors offered no evidence -- but his trial on other counts continues. Salmond, 65, who led the devolved government in Edinburgh from 2007 to 2014, still faces other sexual assault and attempted rape accusations brought by 10 women. "In light of the decision of the advocate depute (prosecutor), I formally acquit you of charge six on the indictment," Judge Leeona Dorrian told Salmond. Prosecutor Alex Prentice did not offer evidence on a sexual assault charge against a civil servant in the Scottish government referred to in court as "Woman E". It was alleged on the original indictment that he had tried to stroke and kiss her foot in October 2013, at the first minister's official Bute House residence in Edinburgh. The prosecution began setting out its evidence against Salmond at the High Court in Edinburgh last Monday. Following the single acquittal, he now faces nine counts of sexual assault, two of indecent assault, an attempted rape charge and one of sexual assault with intent to rape. Salmond has denied all the charges, and his legal team has submitted special defences to the court of consent and alibi. The prosecution alleges the offences were committed at various locations across Scotland between June 2008 and November 2014. The most serious allegation of attempted rape is said to have involved an attack against another Scottish government official -- "Woman H" -- in June 2014, also at Bute House. He is alleged to have repeatedly kissed her face and neck, groped her, pinned her against a wall, pulled at her clothes and stripped himself naked before trying to rape her. The woman claimed Salmond also attacked her on a separate occasion in May 2014. He could be called to give evidence, although he is under no obligation to do so, as the burden of proof is on the prosecution to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. Salmond, who is married and a former economist at the Royal Bank of Scotland, took over the leadership of the Scottish National Party (SNP) in 1990. He led the unsuccessful campaign for Scottish independence in 2014. He then resigned and was replaced by Nicola Sturgeon. bur-jj/phz/jj
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