As many of you will be aware, criminal proceedings are underway against Scottish gamekeeper Stanley Gordon.
Mr Gordon, 60, of Cabrach, Moray, is facing a charge in connection with the alleged shooting of a hen harrier in June 2013. He has denied the charge.
We need to amend some information about this case, written in an earlier post on 10 Feb 2017 (here).
We had previously been told that the new trial date was 21 March 2017. This was incorrect. There will be another hearing on 21 March 2017 but it will be an intermediate diet. The new trial date has been set for 15 May 2017.
Here is the revised timeline of this case:
Hearing #1 (19 May 2016): Case continued without plea until 16 June 2016.
Hearing #2 (16 June 2016): Case continued without plea until 14 July 2016.
Hearing #3 (14 July 2016): Case continued without plea until 11 August 2016.
Hearing #4 (11 August 2016): Case continued without plea until 1 September 2016.
Hearing #5 (1 September 2016): Mr Gordon enters a not guilty plea. A provisional trial date is set for 19 December 2016, with an intermediate diet set for 18 November 2016.
Hearing #6 (18 November 2016): Case adjourned for another intermediate diet on 2 December 2016.
Hearing #7 (2 December 2016). Provisional trial date of 19 December is dumped. Case adjourned for another intermediate diet on 10 February 2017.
Hearing #8 (10 February 2017). Case adjourned for another intermediate diet on 21 March 2017. New provisional trial date set for 15 May 2017.
Raptor Persecution UK 
Whatever, it is pathetic that it is taking so long to bring this to trial.
There is no excuse for this carry on. In my opinion it is a deliberate ploy to kick it into the long grass.
[Ed@ Hi Peter, these lengthy delays are pretty standard for summary cases and probably not specific to this particular case]
xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx The courts and our so-called justice system are becoming a joke, if it wasn’t so serious it would be laughable.
[Ed: Thanks for your comment, Gavin, but we’re not prepared to publish it at this stage of proceedings]
Is some high earning barrister support behind all this????
Doug
Interminable diet, more like…….
He’s been dieting on this more than most people do on Jane Plan.
This is a scandal in itself, albeit a financial/time-wasting scandal rather than an environmental one.
Somebody is making a nice packet of money from this.
It’s about time some common sense was actioned in this case.
As I’ve said before, this is standard in lots of summary cases, especially when it’s not a straightforward ‘everyday’ offence that lawyers are used to dealing with
Whether the accused is innocent or guilty this is a sad carry on and the Scottish procedures seem to need a little streamlining, I’m sure justice could be adequately served with a somewhat shorter process.
Summary justice indeed.
The Scottish Criminal Justice system is creeking at the seems.
Specialist Wildlife Fiscals have made little or no difference.
Sorting this problem is a bigger problem than just wildlife crime.
Fewer people receive sentences that deter offenders. The few people that are sentenced to imprisonment are released having served only half or even less of the original sentence.