Former community councillor may be tried south

[Nwicker60]

Loughlin again unfit to travel north
A FORMER Wick community councillor, accused of indecency offences, might be tried in a south court if he continues to be too ill to travel to Caithness.
The possibility emerged, recently at Wick Sheriff Court, when John Loughlin was again absent.
The case has been in limbo for the past few months against what was described as "a legitimate medical background", making the fixing of a definite trial date impossible. Loughlin, 58, has made only one appearance in the dock since the case was called, earlier this year.
In the latest update on the protracted proceedings, Loughlin's solicitor, Fiona MacDonald, said she had spoken to the accused's GP but said he could give no indication about when a planned operation would take place or when the accused would be fit to travel north from Inverness.
Senior fiscal depute, David Barclay, said he intended consulting with fiscals and sheriff clerks south of Wick, on a possible solution.
However, he commented to Sheriff Andrew Berry:" It is not a matter that is going to overly straightforward..
The Wick court will hear a further report on the situation on January 24.
Loughlin, currently living in a guest house in Inverness, denies three historic charges of indecency. These are alleged to have taken place at a house in Wick between August 15, 2005 and December 21, 2012.

---