Celtic fans accused of taunting Rangers rivals with blow-up sex dolls walk free after evidence is LOST

[pete 2,494]

 

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Celtic fans accused of taunting Rangers rivals with blow-up sex dolls walk free after evidence is LOST


We can reveal the case is dead in the water because the Crown Office lost video and photo productions ahead of a hearing last week
THE Old Firm hanging sex dolls trial was axed after prosecutors lost evidence, we can reveal.


Nine Celtic fans accused of taunting Rangers rivals by hanging blow-up sex dolls walked free after prosecutors lost the evidence.

The suspects were due to stand trial after two inflatable dummies clad in a Gers scarf and Orange Order sash were strung up in a Parkhead stand at an Old Firm clash.

But we can reveal the case is dead in the water because the Crown Office lost video and photo productions ahead of a hearing last week.

A legal insider said of the shocking blunder — which comes amid intense scrutiny of fans’ behaviour: “It’s down to the maladministration and incompetence of the Crown. Essentially they destroyed video evidence and the photographic evidence to a certain extent.”

The bungle — blasted by politicians and a legal expert — could prove expensive as legal aid for the nine has cost the taxpayer £3,650 alone before other fees are taken into account.

“Then there’s the cost of defence and prosecution work carried out in the background.

“It could end up costing a million quid quite easily.”

Old Firm fans united to condemn the effigy stunt during Celtic’s 5-1 Premiership home win over Rangers in September 2016.

The dolls had their hands bound and were suspended from the Jock Stein stand next to a banner that read: “This is it Bhoys, this is war”.
It came on World Suicide Prevention Day and shortly after ex-Rangers hero Kris Boyd, 35, spoke about his brother Scott taking his own life.

Nine suspects first appeared in court that year charged under the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act.

When that law was scrapped, the charges were converted to threatening and abusive behaviour.

After a two-year wait and a string of hearings the trial was supposed to get underway at Glasgow Sheriff Court last September.
But the case was postponed as it emerged prosecutors gave defence lawyers a version of video evidence that had been edited by cops.

The briefs successfully argued that they did not have all the material available.

Sheriff Allan Findlay blasted law chiefs for not giving the solicitors “full disclosure” of evidence and threw out the trial.

He said: “The Crown has taken the view that they are going to rely on police evidence.

“I don’t know what’s on the disks. For the life of me, I cannot understand why the Crown simply didn’t disclose this stuff to the defence.”
The Crown Office then launched a fresh trial bid with two pre-trial hearings held earlier this year.

But Kieran Carvill, 19, Andrew McDonald, 24, Kasey McKinnon, 19, Martin Gallagher, 27, Mark Macdonald, 24, Ross Brady, 29, Lewis McLachlan, 20, Myles McSwegan, 18 and Michael Bentley, 28, are all in the clear after the case finally fell.
 

Legal expert and lecturer Dr Andrew Tickell said of the blunder: “Mistakes are made and it’s not ideal but it’s definitely a cock-up. It’s particularly unfortunate as it was such a visible incident.

“No prosecutor wants to lose evidence. You do wonder if one of the reasons why is the fact that they were converting the Football Act charges into Section 38 charges.

“I imagine that would have required the papers and materials to shuffle around.

“The more hands things pass through, the easier it is for someone to misplace it. In general terms, disclosure is extremely important and it became statutory in Scotland from 2010 onwards.”

Tory shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr added: “It’s unacceptable that a case like this should fall because material has been lost.

“At a time when the spotlight is on the behaviour of football fans, this is disappointing.”

Retired police chief turned politician Graeme Pearson called for the Crown to explain the mistake.

The ex-match commander, also Scottish Labour’s former justice spokesman, said: “This is extremely unhelpful in the current environment, given the controversy around management of football crowds. The public is due a full explanation on what went wrong and how pieces of evidence could be lost.

“I would hope that going forward such cases would be treated with a higher priority than seems to be in this instance.

“The officers who conducted the investigation will be disappointed given the time dedicated to this case.

“There will also be a feeling that public money has been wasted.”

And Scottish Lib Dem justice spokesman Liam McArthur MSP said: “Losing evidence is a failure in basic case handling. The Crown Office has the responsibility to prosecute on behalf of the public, but under pressure, they are letting things slip.

“This isn’t the first case where justice can’t be served because evidence has been lost, or disclosed too late. If pressures on the service aren’t addressed, it won’t be the last.”

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/ne...=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1552773961

 

Unbelievable.  Of course Humza Yousaf will be ordering a full independant enquiry as we speak.

[cooponthewing 1,139]

1 hour ago, pete said:

 

Unbelievable.  Of course Humza Yousaf will be ordering a full independant enquiry as we speak.

 

I don’t believe for a second the evidence was lost “accidentally”. Where are the connections to the crown and accused? They will be there? 

[barca72 440]

Yousaf and the SNP have a really big carpet for sweeping stuff under.

[compo 6,076]

Personally the whole thing is stupid there should have been no charges in the first place as if the courts are not busy enough 

[der Berliner 3,219]

Looks like an invitation to take law into the people`s hands ...

 

Just imagine some sends this chap a letter with a pair of painted bullets. The police et al would go all the way DNA testing the pages to ensure everyone knows even the name of the lad who cut the trees of which the paper was made ...

[der Berliner 3,219]

NB: If anything alike would happen again, I expect someonefrom the club notices it, tells the gaffer who then removes the players from the pitch until the matter is being dealt with. Imagine what it would cause for a reaction with milions watching live on TV.

Edited March 17, 2019 by der Berliner

[MacK1950 2,226]

Starting to look even more like this country is dividing into one group.

[scotjo 19]

What a surprise.

[cooponthewing 1,139]

1 hour ago, MacK1950 said:

Starting to look even more like this country is dividing into one group.

We all know what going on here, the only ones that don’t are just too frightened to admit to themselves it’s happening. Vote them out (the SNP legislators) and make them all accountable for their corruption.

Edited March 17, 2019 by cooponthewing

[Bluedell 5,329]

Expect the same thing to happen in the Alex Salmond case.