International Law

Rocky is innocent ok and so am I

By John Hirst

Before the trial could get underway my barrister, Mark George, and the Crown Prosecution Service barrister went into the judge's chambers to argue legal points and seek a direction from the judge. Apparently, the judge was not happy that the case had been brought to court. He felt that the case did not require expert evidence.

Here's the deal. My barrister, Mark George, stated that what he wanted me to do was accept to be bound over to keep the peace for 12 months. Apparently, it comes from some statute dating c.1361. He said, whether the jury found me guilty or not guilty the judge could still impose this order not to breach the peace. Why go through a trial, then? We might have lost, we might have won. This way, the prosecution offered no evidence. The judge found me not guilty on both counts; a) common assault; b) being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control.

I informed my barrister that it would cost him lunch. We went to the Revolution in the Old Town. I ordered rump steak and chips, double Jack Daniels, coke and ice. And Mark George had a salmon steak. The waiter brought a large salt timer and explained if our orders were not delivered within 15 minutes, we could eat for free. As the last grain of salt dropped and no sign of a waiter, I let out a great cheer. Not so fast, I told my barrister, that's going to cost you another double JD.

Whilst I am chuffed that the ordeal is over, I am not happy about what the council, police and CPS put us both through. Nor am I happy at the £20,000 plus it has cost the taxpayers for this mistake which was nothing less than an abuse of power.

Watch out for the newspapers tomorrow.

Full post as published by prisonlawinsideout on September 08, 2008 (boomark / email).