Crown versus George Robert Green, 21 January 2015 David Scott’s report of the proceedings yesterday, 21st Jan 2015 at Aberdeen Sheriff Court: Crown versus George Robert Green Sheriff William Taylor presiding Court 3, a small courtroom seating around 20 in the public gallery, was packed as Roberts trial got underway at 10:00 am; the corridor outside the court was also full of Robert’s supporters. Mr Mackintosh representing Robert confirmed an amended plea of guilty to a modified complaint deleting references to the word “emails”. The Fiscal confirmed that the plea is acceptable to the Crown. The Sheriff addressed Robert stating that he is required to hear the plea from Roberts own lips. Robert confirmed that he was prepared to plead guilty. The court was adjourned for an hour for the Sheriff to read written submissions. Comment, we understand that most of the original complaints brought by the crown, such as allegations that Robert had campaigned personally on the streets of Aberdeen, and also references to emails, had been dropped as being without foundation. This is a testimony to the quiet diligent work of Roberts legal team. After a break and a short walk to clear his head, Robert re-entered the court buildings. Many of his supporters, following a few minutes later, were held at the entrance hallway by court staff. Despite this the Court 3 was once again packed when the hearing resumed later in the morning. Sheriff Taylor explained that due to the large volume of paperwork submitted as part of the case he would require time to read, digest and become fully familiar with the detail of the written evidence. Discussion then centred around Robert’s on-line blog, some elements of which were clearly viewed by the court as being in contravention of the original non harassment order. Mr Mackintosh explained that Robert was not in a position to take the blog down and the passwords etc were all stored on his PC, seized by Police Scotland in February 2014. Discussion regarding the computer continued and it was stated that Roberts Computer was to be forfeit as it was the piece of office equipment on which he had typed his (offending) blog posts. That being decided it was clarified that the police, who have the computer in their possession, would be responsible for taking down the blog, Robert having no means at his disposal to allow him to do this. Sheriff Taylor then held a letter aloft and stated that he had a difficult matter to bring before the court. During the recess when reading documentation in his chambers, the Sheriff had this letter slipped below his door. The envelope bore text along the lines “Private and Confidential, by hand to Sheriff Taylor”. As it bore his name the Sheriff opened the letter and immediately realised it was a victim impact statement relating to Robert’s case. He confirmed that, having identified the nature of this correspondence, he did not read it. Copies were to be passed to the fiscal and defence before a decision is made on what weight “if any” to give to the letter. The Sheriff then explained to Robert that the court would request a social background report to be prepared on Robert by social workers in England and that it would be to his advantage to cooperate with them. This report would be seen and commented upon by Robert and his defence team before being passed to the Sheriff. Once in possession of this report and after reviewing the copious documentary evidence the Sheriff would then decide upon sentencing. The trial was therefore continued until 4th March at 2:00pm. Bail conditions remain in force and Roberts PC is forfeit. The court was adjourned. Leaving the courthouse Roberts supporters from court 3 met up again with a similar number in the street outside, only to learn that the court staff had demanded that this later group leave the building, threatening police intervention to force their removal. Perhaps next time we will have a larger court room arranged as surely it would be preferable to engaging in conflict with law-abiding members of the public who had travelled from all over Scotland and England to offer Robert moral support and to see that justice is done and seen to be done. Good night and God Bless those who have suffered abuse and those who campaign to end that suffering “ But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:6 David Scott BEng, AMICE, CEng, MIStructE, MIES Original Article at Free Robert Green http://www.freerobertgreen.co.uk/trial-adjourned-but-bail-not-lifted/

• published: 07 Mar 2016
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