A sheriff has launched a scathing attack on Angus Council’s social work department after rejecting an “unrealistic” background report recommending a deferred sentence for a bottle assault offender.
Forfar sheriff Kevin Veal said public confidence in the justice system would collapse if he backed the report author’s view, and he has ordered the document be sent back to the authority for examination at the department’s top level.
His critical comments on Thursday followed a guilty plea by Forfar man Stephen McGlone in relation to an attack in the town last year.
McGlone (28), of Market Street, admitted assaulting a man in Wylie Street on August 21 by striking him on the face with a glass bottle, to his injury.
A co-accused, Craig Brown (28), of Osnaburg Street, Forfar, pleaded guilty to assaulting another male by repeatedly punching him on the head and face to his injury.
Fiscal depute Hannah Kennedy was specifically asked by the sheriff about the extent of injury suffered by McGlone’s victim.
“Fortunately, the injuries sustained were not great. He suffered a minor scratch to his cheek and did not require medial treatment,” she said.
The sheriff then expressed astonishment that the reporting social worker who was not present in court to speak to the report recommendations would suggest a deferral of sentence on McGlone.
“I have in front of me a social work report which causes me very great concern,” said Sheriff Veal.
“This accused has six or seven previous convictions and he has pled guilty to assaulting someone with a glass bottle.
“I cannot believe that I have been asked to deal with this by way of deferred sentence. It takes no realistic view of the circumstances of the case.”
The sheriff added, “It would cause great problems in the confidence the public have in the courts if I were to follow the recommendation within the report.
“Regrettably, I have to express publicly my grave concern over this recommendation, which came from our social work department here in Angus.
“I intend to send this back to the highest level to ask them to look at it again.”
Sheriff Veal concluded, “I have no confidence at all in this report as it is before me today.”
He continued the case against both men until April 28 when a further background report on McGlone will be made available to the court.
An Angus Council spokesperson said, “Although we don’t discuss individual cases, we note the sheriff’s comments and will consider them carefully.”