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Colne duo face trial over Scottish post office raids
A HIGH-PROFILE trial in the Scottish Highlands will see two Colne men stand accused of raiding six post offices and several other properties in the far North.
In one of the biggest trials ever to be held at Wick Sheriff Court, John Hind (53), of Birtwistle Avenue, and Matthew Kenneth Roy Peters (38), who used to live in the town, are accused of stealing 45,000 in cash and stock after allegedly breaking into premises, mainly post offices, between April 27th and October 12th, 2007.
The pair deny any involvement and have also denied stealing a car and driving it at Highlands officer PC Andrew Cooper, who had signalled them to stop, forcing him to take evasive action to avoid being hit.
More than 100 witnesses, including 75 police officers, could give evidence in the case which is scheduled to begin trial in April next year and last four weeks.
The Crown Prosecution Service said both men were charged with 11 counts of housebreaking with intent to steal, attempted house breaking with intent to steal, theft of a motor vehicle and assault endangering life.
The Far North post offices involved are at Spittal, Canisbay, Talmine, Dunbeath, Lairg, Thurso and Wick.
Peters, whose address was given as HMP Acklington, near Morpeth, Northumberland, was arrested in Colne in November 2007.
Since Hind was arrested in 2007, his bail conditions have prevented him from entering Scotland.
Last week, he asked for a variation in his bail conditions so he could move out of the rented accommodation he currently lives in and into a family-owned property in the Halkirk area which is in need of renovation.
Meanwhile, Peters was keen to have his passport returned so he could have the option of travelling by air to court appearances.
But Sheriff Andrew Berry refused the application to change the bail conditions for both accused.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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