News / Late for court
A SHERIFF has complained to private security firm G4S for its failure to deliver a Shetland man to Lerwick Sheriff Court on time for his case to be heard on Wednesday.
Seventeen year old Larri Goodlad, of 1 Hill Grind, Lerwick, has already pled guilty to two charges of stealing clothing, toiletries and leaflets from the Sound Gospel Congregational Hall in Lerwick on 15 September and struggling with police officers at Lerwick police station after he was arrested.
He has yet to make a plea to further charges of shouting, swearing, threatening staff and kicking and smashing a window at Lerwick’s Bolts Mini Market on 19 November, as well as being in possession of a kitchen knife and violently struggling with three police officers that day.
He is also charged with breaching a curfew by failing to present himself to officers at his home address on two occasions this month.
Goodlad was due in court at 10am on Wednesday morning, but the court was told that G4S had failed to get him on a plane in time to reach the court from the prison where he was being held.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said that he had been told Goodlad would not reach Lerwick police station until 1pm, when his agent Tommy Allan would need time to speak to him.
However when the court reconvened at 2pm Goodlad was still nowhere to be seen.
Sheriff Lorna Drummond said she was unhappy with the situation and had taken the matter up with the security firm.
“I have raised my concerns with G4S about this and no doubt others will as well,” she said.
Later a spokesman for G4S apologised for the hold up, which they said was due to transport problems out with their control.
He said: “The transportation of prisoners from secure custody on the mainland to the Shetland Islands requires part of the journey to be made by aircraft.
“In most cases, this does not present any problems or issues. However, whilst transporting a custody today to Lerwick Sheriff Court, there was a flight delay for reasons out with our control which caused the person appearing in court to arrive later than planned.
“G4S would like to apologise for the delay to court business.”
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