Eight men accused of engaging in a mass brawl at HMP Perth are expected to go on trial for the alleged offence in Perth later this year - as long as the city’s sheriff court can accommodate them all at the same time.
Four Dundee men - Terry Barr (32), of St Ninian’s Terrace, Scott Dolan (33), of Glenmoy Avenue, Richard Gibson (36), of Linfield Street and Daniel Blake (43), of Hepburn Street - have all denied taking part in a “large-scale stand-up fight” and committing a breach of the peace at HMP Perth on July 23, 2019.
Two Angus men - John Brand (29) of River Street, Brechin and Graham Soave (33), of Dundee Loan, Forfar - have also denied the charge as has Pavel Tomko (25), of Northwood Crescent, Nottingham and Dylan Ferguson (25), an inmate at HMP Low Moss.
None of the men were present at Perth Sheriff Court last week when their case called except Ferguson, who appeared via a video link from prison.
Defence solicitors acting for all eight men confirmed their not guilty pleas but fiscal depute Michael Sweeney said he would have to make enquiries as to whether they could all stand trial at the same time and in the same room owing to Covid restrictions.
Mr Sweeney said as he understood the situation last Thursday only a maximum of seven defendants were permitted to be in the same room as one another under current guidelines and the group may have to be split in two and tried in different courtrooms.
He added if was unable to split the group the case may have to be tried at a different court with larger rooms.
Sheriff Gillian Wade agreed to a motion to fix a continued first diet for the case for May 19 to allow Mr Sweeney to make his enquiries and determine whether the court will be able to host the trial.
