Ben saddles up for rehab
James Farrelly was secretly released from Saughton prison in Edinburgh, where he was on remand awaiting trial, to return to his home in Blackburn, West Lothian.
The 53-year- old is under curfew conditions and only allowed out for hospital visits, doctor appointments and legal meetings, although he has permission to sit in his garden.
It is now thought Farrelly will never s tand t r ia l and proceedings against him will be scrapped later this year.
Last week, his lawyer Euan Roy was g rant ed a t r ia l postponement until November because of his client’s “serious health issues”. Now we can reveal that Liverpoolborn Farrelly was also given bail and allowed home, a move normally reserved for terminally ill prisoners.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard the murder suspect had a “very weak and poor prognosis”.
The original May trial was moved to November by judge Lady Wise.
Alex Prentice QC, prosecuting, told the court that the Crown had no objections to postponing the trial.
The Scottish Courts Service said: “James Farrelly was released on bail on compassionate grounds at a hearing in the High Cour t in Edinburgh on March 2.
“He is under a 24-hour curfew. He
He is under curfew. He has to remain in his house or garden apart from meetings
has to remain in his house or garden apart from medical appointments or meetings with his solicitors.”
Prosecutors allege Farrelly shot Hamilton, from Blackhill, Glasgow, in the head with a f irearm, then inf licted blunt and sharp force injuries to his head, between April 16 and December 17, 2015.
Farrelly, nicknamed Scouse, is also charged with attempting to defeat the ends of justice by dumping the body in woodland.
He also faces allegations he was involved in the supply of hard drugs. He denies all the charges.
Hamilton, 53, dubbed the Blackhill Butcher, went missing after being released from prison in 2014. His remains were found in December 2015 in West Calder, West Lothian.
Advocate Niall McCluskey, an expert on criminal law, said: “Prosecutions should always be in the public interest and this could be one of the issues here.
“There may be human right considerations, with the right to a private life. It could also be a compassionate decision firstly to allow bail and then to adjourn the trial.” Hollywood superstar Ben Aff leck is trying to save his marriage by talking to horses.
The Batman actor revealed this week he has completed a second stint in rehab – at a clinic who use “equine therapy”.
Trendy Cirque Lodge, whose previous clients include Ex-Bon Jovi star Richie Sambora and actress Eva Mendes, lets patients work with horses. Ben, 44, hopes to reconcile with his estranged actress wife Jennifer Garner, 44.
According to a source, “equine therapy provides a coping mechanism as the horses have no agenda. It’s a central part of their alcohol and drug programme to bring around feelings of hope.”