News / G4S fails to deliver
SECURITY firm G4S has yet again come under fire for failing to bring a prisoner to Shetland in time for a court appearance.
Sheriff William Taylor was furious that the company had not been able to deliver prisoner Craig Moverly for his scheduled appearance at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Tuesday.
He said the man had been detained in custody for 24 hours longer than necessary and has demanded a full written explanation from G4S.
Regular sheriff Philip Mann most recently complained about similar failures in November and December.
Sheriff Taylor said he was “deeply concerned” that G4S had failed to bring Moverly to court for sentencing on Tuesday and viewed it as an infringement of his human rights.
Although in the event Moverly was jailed, Sheriff Taylor said he could just as easily have released him.
“This man has a right in law,” he said. “My concern is that G4S’ procedures might have brought this about. It’s a very serious matter.
“I don’t think it is satisfactory that an organisation like G4S… through its administrative decision… can deprive someone of their liberty.”
While flights to Shetland were disrupted by an emergency yesterday, Sheriff Taylor said there was nothing to stop G4S using the overnight ferry to bring prisoners to Shetland instead.
He added that sheriff courts elsewhere in the Highlands and Islands have faced similar problems.
A G4S spokesman responded: “There was a delay in arriving at court due to a scheduled flight from Inverness being delayed when a fault was identified with the aircraft.
“G4S notes the Sheriff’s comments and welcomes the opportunity to produce a full report into the difficulties of escorting prisoners from mainland custody to Lerwick.
“These journeys will always require third party transportation, be that by air or ferry, and this can cause issues that are not always within the control of G4S.
“We would hope that a full report allows us to set out the challenges in detail so that a long-term solution can be agreed between all parties.”
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