Paisley lawyer slammed for court no-show

A judge blasted a Paisley l awyer for showing “disrespect” to a court - after he failed to appear to answer a drink-driving charge for the second time.

Defence solicitor Manus Tolland, who lives in Gauze Street, was due to appear at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court over claims he was caught driving while nearly fourtimes the limit in the town.

But he did not travel to the court as he was representing an accused in a trial at Paisley Sheriff Court in his home town.

Tolland, 62, is said to have driven a Ford Focus Zetec in St Marnock Street, Kilmarnock, with 81 microgrammes of alcohol in 100ml of breath - nearly four-times the 22mcg limit - on May 5 this year.

He missed a pre- trial hearing in connection with the case earlier this month while he was at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court, as he was involved in a trial where he was representing a sex offender.

And when the case against him called in court his lawyer said he was not there because of another trial.

Defence lawyer Matthew Berlow explained: “He is currently engaged in a partheard trial in Paisley and asked I appear today to have the case continued until Friday, when he will plead guilty.”

Sheriff Michael Hanlon replied: “Mr Tolland was not present on the last occasion and anyone appearing before the court is subject to the same rules as everybody else.

“There are many people before the courts who have work commitments who have to reorganise their working commitments because they are ordained to appear before the court.

“I have to say I am not happy at all by the disrespect shown to the court by twice failing to appear and not making alternative work arrangements.

“As an officer of court, Mr Tolland has obligations on an almost daily basis - most firms do.

“It is a completely unacceptable position.”

After hear ing that prosecutors were not seeking a warrant for his arrest, Sheriff Hanlon continued the case in Tolland’s absence and said: “Reluctantly I’m not going to take any action.

“Mr Tolland should be in absolutely no doubt - the rules apply to him as they do to everyone else.”