simplythebest 0 Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 A warrant for the arrest of former Rangers owner Craig Whyte has been issued. The move was made after the businessman failed to turn up for the trial of his two former housekeepers who are accused of stealing from him. Mr Whyte had been personally served with a witness citation last month after the Crown revealed that their difficulties in tracking him down had been resolved. He was due to appear at Inverness Sheriff Court on Monday morning, but by the time Terence Horan and partner Jane Hagan were called in to the dock, there was no sign of Whyte. Fiscal depute Kelly Mitchell told Sheriff Margaret Neilson that all her witnesses apart from the former Rangers owner had appeared for the trial, including Mr Whyte's estranged wife Kim. It then emerged that Mrs Whyte had phoned her husband who had told her he was in France. Ms Mitchell then spoke to Mr Whyte who claimed he had been countermanded as a witness and had received a letter. Ms Mitchell told the sheriff this was incorrect, explaining that Mr Whyte had been countermanded for an earlier trial date. She said: "He had been postally cited and personally cited six weeks ago before today. He had previously indicated a willingness to appear. "Given that we have an unfinished trial today, it is unlikely this trial will commence and I am seeking an adjournment to another date due to lack of court time. However I am still seeking a warrant for Mr Whyte to prevent this from happening again. He knew he was due in court today." The sheriff asked the fiscal if it was appropriate for her to grant a warrant when the motion was for an adjournment due to lack of court time and not the failure of an essential witness to turn up. Ms Mitchell said her initial motion was because of the unfinished trial, but that she would make a new motion due to the failure of Whyte to turn up and in the public interest due to the high value of the items in the charge. The sheriff then noted: "He doesn't seem to be particularly interested in the high value." Both defence lawyers, Willie Young and Eilidh Macdonald opposed the motion, saying that the Crown case stood or fell upon Mr Whyte's evidence. Mr Young said: "It was he who made the complaint to the police. No letter was sent out and there is no good reason why he would be confused. He is well aware of court procedure and the importance of being a witness would be apparent to him. "He appears to be in France and made no travel plans to come here. In the interests of fairness, the case should be deserted. Adjourning it will result in further inconvenience and expense." Ms Macdonald agreed. She said: "The Crown can't proceed because Craig Whyte is not here. Mr Horan has an employment tribunal pending against Craig Whyte and that cannot proceed until the conclusion of this." Sheirff Neilson rejected the Crown motion to adjourn due to lack of court time but granted the motion because of the lack of an essential Crown witness "with reluctance." She also granted the warrant for Mr Whyte's arrest. A new intermediate diet was fixed for August 13 and trial rescheduled for September 12. Hagan, 50, and 53-year-old Horan, who both now live in Bicester, travelled north for the trial and confirmed their pleas of not guilty. The pair deny stealing a huge array of items from Mr Whyteâ??s Castle Grant home near Grantown-on-Spey while working there between June 1 and September 7, 2012. Both are alleged to have stolen items including a quad bike, quantities of coins and Dutch guilders, a silver photograph frame, a hip flask and cups, three sets of cufflinks, a fuel card, a telescope and case. They are also charged with stealing other items including three pens, two lamps, headed notepaper, five chairs and a table, a chest, a compass, two wooden bowls, a photograph album, a trunk, a planter, two jumpers, a bin, a wheel, two heaters, a bag of electrical items, ornaments and a clay trap. Both had their bail continued and refused to comment afterwards. Mr Whyte purchased an 85% stake in Rangers from Sir David Murray for £1 in May 2011. The club went into administration in February last year with debts of up to £124m. http://m.stv.tv/news/228863-ex-rangers-owner-craig-whyte-arrest-warrant-in-housekeeper-trial/ 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aweebluesoandso 290 Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 Hopefully when he finally appears in court he gets done for perjury, that would be justice. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Cooper 0 Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 Debts of upto £124m? Really? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nevergreen Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 Hopefully when he finally appears in court he gets done for perjury, that would be justice. This is bound to happen if he ever makes it to court, the man is incapable of telling the truth. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilledbear 16 Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 A wee spell in Barlinnie would be good. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilledbear 16 Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 Can someone tell me why not paying millions of pounds in PAYE, doesn't land you in Court? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig 5,195 Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 Can someone tell me why not paying millions of pounds in PAYE, doesn't land you in Court? It was the CLUB that didnt pay the PAYE, not Whyte (technically). He would hide behind the corporate veil... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluebear54 0 Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 Agree with Nevergreen. You just know he's going to tell a porkie or two. What's his status if he doesn't turn up? Is he then in contempt? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveC 150 Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 Not sure whether to laugh or cry at this news. After all his crimes, a warrant for his arrest in a case where he is the victim of theft, not the thief himself..... 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
26th of foot 5,829 Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 Can I just say something here?(Sounes Souness). Currently, I am en France Sud, and le Petite Merde is not ici. Non M'Lud, le Petite Merde is en Monaco and as Elmer Fudd found out reference a fee for John Collins ................................ Malheureusesment, le petite merde est un vagabond qui ne peut pas etre tue par un fusil. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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