B-TESTS ROW JAMS COURT; Doubts on roadside readings.FIVE HUNDRED drink-driving cases are clogging up the court system because of a row over a breath-alyser machine. As police forces prepare for their annual blitz blitz n. 1. a. A blitzkrieg. b. A heavy aerial bombardment. 2. An intense campaign: a media blitz focused on young voters. 3. on festive fes·tive adj. 1. Of, relating to, or appropriate for a feast or festival. 2. Merry; joyous: a festive party. drink-drivers, there is a growing backlog of cases waiting to be heard. It stems from a case in June when a man charged with drink-driving was allowed to have the accuracy of the Intoximeter machine tested by independent experts. All cases involving the machine are now deferred at Glasgow Sheriff Court Glasgow Sheriff Court is the main Court in Glasgow. It is located in the Gorbals area of the city and is the busiest court in Europe. [1] The Sheriff Court lies within the Sheriffdom of Glasgow & Strathkelvin. , as well as Paisley Paisley (pāz`lē), town (1991 pop. 84,330), Renfrewshire, W Scotland, on the White Cart Water, a stream. It has a thriving textile industry and is an extremely large producer of thread. , Hamilton and Kilmarnock, until the results come back. One solicitor said the delays had now spread to courts throughout Scotland. Two separate studies have already shown the Intoximeter gives less accurate readings than another similar machine. Scientists in London found the amount of alcohol detected was up to eight per cent higher using the Intoximeter, and tests in Duns, Berwickshire, discovered the readings from a machine called the Lion were 5.8 per cent lower. Lawyers say the issue must be resolved soon. Gerry McMillan, president of Glasgow Bar Association, said: "Justice delayed is justice denied "Justice delayed is justice denied" is a legal cliché meaning that if legal redress is available for a party that has suffered some injury, but is not forthcoming in a timely fashion, it is effectively the same as having no redress at all. . It cannot be right that cases are held up in this way and it must be resolved. "The Intoximeter has been challenged and until the expert dealing with it has concluded his report the cases are stacking up." A Crown Office spokes-man said: "The Crown is aware of a number of intentions to challenge the accuracy of the Intoximeter."Alcohol and road safety campaigners also want the issue resolved quickly. Isobel Brydie, of the Scottish Campaign Against Irresponsible ir·re·spon·si·ble adj. 1. Marked by a lack of responsibility: irresponsible accusations. 2. Lacking a sense of responsibility; unreliable or untrustworthy. 3. Drivers, said: "We need specifically designated court time to clear the backlog once the appeal ruling is known." The ruling is expected later this month. |
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