Teenager's fruitless trip to court - inquiry

Sheriff suspends trial to allow accused to return to young offenders institution in reasonable time

A SHERIFF has asked for a report about the time it took for a prisoner to be transported from Polmont Young Offenders Institution in Stirling to court at Wick.
Morgan Stubbings left the institution at 6.30am and didn't arrive in the dock until about 3,15pm.
Too late, said Sheriff Andrew Berry, to hear a third session of evidence in a trial in which Stubbings is one of three accused. The 16-year-old is currently serving a sentence at Polmont for an unrelated charge.
His journey involved a detour, two changes of transport and comfort stops.
Sheriff Andrew Berry decided not to hear any further evidence, to enable Stubbings to return to Polmont by 10pm.
The accused's solicitor, Fiona MacDonald, commented that Stubbings, of Murchison Street, Wick, had risen at 5am and it was questionable as to whether he could be expected to be up to participating in the trial proceedings.
The case was continued until March 3,