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Failure to appear before court in Scotland while on bail corresponds to statutory offence here, appeal court finds

Summary

The Court of Appeal held that a man who failed to appear in Edinburgh court while on bail committed a statutory offence under Irish law. Pablo Tellarini Prieto, charged with a serious assault in Scotland, had been granted bail on 26 April 2013. He missed a procedural hearing in January, prompting a warrant for his arrest. He was later arrested in Ireland on a European Arrest Warrant issued 5 June 2014, and extradition proceedings have continued. The High Court found the offence matched the common‑law offence of criminal contempt but not the statutory offence under section 13 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. The Appeal Court, in a majority, reversed that conclusion, finding the offence did correspond with section 13 and reaffirmed the order for surrender. A dissenting judge disagreed, noting no recognisance or monetary commitment was involved. The order requires Prieto's surrender to Scottish authorities within a 10‑day period after a 15‑day notice.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Failure to appear before court in Scotland while on bail corresponds to statutory offence here, appeal court finds. Charges or matters: a serious assault in Scotland and brought before Edinburgh Sheriff's court on two occasions. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• April 26, 2013 Incident
• June 5, 2014 Incident
• 2016-02-24 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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