CALLS for reforms in the judicial system were made last night after a court case involving five Polish football fans accused of "chanting" after a match cost taxpayers more than £5,000.
The Poles were due to go on trial at Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday, and each appeared with an individual interpreter – costing £500 a time.
They also received legal aid, again costing an average of £500 apiece.
After hours of legal wranglin
g, three of the men were acquitted after their not guilty pleas were accepted by the Crown. The other two eventually pled guilty to charges of breach of the peace, landing fines totalling just £300.
Court insiders claimed the whole legal process surrounding the case was "a farce" costing thousands of pounds.
And politicians last night called for a review on how minor cases are dealt with, to ensure taxpayers' money was being spent wisely.
The five Poles were arrested in Inverness after Poland lost 2-0 against Germany in the European Championships on 8 June. About 50 fans spilled on to Academy Street after watching the match at Deano's Sports Bar.
The court was told the supporters were in a "jovial mood" despite seeing their team beaten by their arch rivals.
Even Sheriff Derek Pyle said they were behaving as the Tartan Army normally does after Scotland lose.
Depute fiscal Ian Smith said: "A police CCTV operator monitoring Academy Street saw a large group of males leave Deano's bar.
"The group was seen standing on both sides of the road stopping traffic from driving past. Police officers were requested to attend and initially saw a group of males chanting and gesticulating in their direction.
"They continued to shout at one of the constables in Polish. Because of the large numbers involved the officers requested further assistance and the two accused were arrested for breach of the peace."
Mariusz Jaroszynski, 28, and Chris Szymolgia, 26, both admitted breach of the peace by conducting themselves in a disorderly manner, shouting and chanting and standing in the road causing passing traffic to stop.
Sheriff Pyle asked: "Why were they so happy?" Mr Wilson said: "They had been drinking, they were not working and were enjoying themselves."
The sheriff fined Jaroszynski £200, as he was on bail at the time, and Szymolgia £100.
Court insiders were furious the case reached court in the first place, with one saying: "The cost is well in excess of £5,000. You have £2,500 for the interpreters and the same again in legal aid.
"This should have been dealt with by fiscal fines, but the fiscal service is under pressure by the Crown Office to bring as many cases to court as they can.
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MP Danny Alexander said: "Questions have to be asked about what cases are worth going to court with."
Tory MSP Mary Scanlon said: "The whole legal and justice system is stretched to the limits and it is only right for taxpayers to question how their money is spent.
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The full article contains 506 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
