A man who has been missing for almost a month was the victim of an alleged axe attack.
Jackson Mason was seriously wounded and ended up in crutches for months following the assault.
But the case against the suspect – who can’t be named for legal reasons – was abandoned.
Sources say Jackson, 31, had vowed to take revenge on the alleged attacker, aged 60.
Carly McGrath, his former girlfriend, was also allegedly assaulted.
But the trial at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court was deserted after a female witness gave a statement, it is understood.
The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service confirmed the decision last January – but said proceedings could restart if more evidence became available.
At least one person involved in the case has been spoken to by detectives trying to trace Jackson, who has been missing since Saturday, December 19.
The dad, of Fenwick, Ayrshire, was last seen between 4pm and 4.30pm near the slip road on the M77 southbound carriageway close to the Fenwick Hotel.
His uncle, Allan Parris, last week offered a cash reward for information leading to his location.
He posted on Facebook: “£5000 reward sitting for information leading to the safe return or whereabouts of Jackson Mason.
“No bulls***, no guessing, cash is here for real information, anything will be strictly between you and me. Need Jackson home either way.”
The suspect accused of attacking Jackson has links to organised crime in Kilmarnock.
A former friend said Jackson had made a number of enemies in the area after looking to get revenge for being hurt in March 2019.
They said: “The people involved in the court case aren’t very nice. But Jackson had a long list of enemies.
“He vowed to get the man. He was telling everyone he wasn’t scared.
“Jackson’s family are well known in Kilmarnock and across other parts of Ayrshire. They must be frantic with worry.”
Police have used sniffer dogs and drones in the search.
Volunteers have also helped and distributed Jackson’s photograph around Kilmarnock and other towns in the district.
A source close to the family said: “We know something wrong has happened.”
Chief Inspector Nathan Calderwood said last week that Police Scotland is “extremely concerned for Jackson’s safety”.
A spokesman for the force added: “Inquiries are ongoing.”
