Sheriff questions handcuff policy
A VISITING Sheriff questioned the practice of taking people from custody into the dock in handcuffs at Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday (Monday).
Sheriff William Taylor noted a man appearing from custody was in handcuffs from entering the court and they were not removed until he was in the dock.
Addressing Ian Smith, Depute Fiscal the Sheriff said: "Unless there is very good reason I would want the handcuffs removed at the door of the court. Human Rights are important," he said.
Mr Smith explained there had been a change in policy in the court after an attack by an accused person on a depute fiscal.
But the Sheriff said he wished to have his views respected and for the security staff to be advised to remove handcuffs unless they have any real concerns about an accused person.
Michael Shewan was jailed for four years for assaulting depute fiscal Alison Smith at Inverness Sheriff Court in September 2007.
In the attack Shewan forced Ms Smith’s head on to a table and punched her on the head as he appeared from custody.
