Slow prosecutors stop trial going ahead

A senior judge has blamed prosecutors for the collapse of a case against two Aberdeen pensioners accused of a £53,000 benefit fraud.

Sylvia Caldwell, 68, was alleged to have faked medical problems while working as a cleaner, while her husband, Andrew, 70, was spotted on a golf course after claiming he could not walk without a stick.

The alleged offences dated back to 1995 and attempts to bring the Caldwells to trial were dogged by legal complications. After hearing from lawyers at the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh last month, Lord Osborne, sitting with Lords Reed and Philip, refused to allow the Crown any more time to continue the prosecution.

In a written finding, the judge blamed the Crown’s “casual attitude” for failing to bring the couple to trial.

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h/t Dave