Post office robberies trial to start

Two deny thefts from premises in Highlands

ONE of the longest-ever trials to be held at Wick Sheriff Court is due to get underway on Tuesday.
More than a 100 witnesses have been listed to give evidence before a sheriff and jury, who will hear allegations of raids on post offices in Caithness and Sutherland and other premises in the Highlands.
Accused of committing them, are John Hind (52) from Colne, Lancashire, and 37-year-old Matthew Peters, currently living at Ackington, near Morpeth.
They deny have broken into premises, mainly post offices, between April 27 and October 12 in 2010 and stealing cash totalling £34,497 and stock amounting to £10,508. Hind and Peters have also pleaded not guilty to further charges of stealing a car and driving it at a police constable Andrew Cooper, who signalled them to stop on the Fort William-Mallaig road, and forcing him to take evasive action to avoid being struck.
The trial has been the subject of repeated continuations over several months, for case preparation. The possibility of certain evidence being agreed by the prosecution and defence has been investigated and it might not be necessary to call all of the witnesses.
The prolonged trial has necessitated considerable adjustment by the courts’ administrative staff to enable the normal business to continue, in courtroom two.