Video link for inmate deemed ‘too dangerous’

LEGAL history: Prisoner sentenced out of court for smashing up his jail cell

Scottish legal history was yesterday made after a convicted killer was sentenced via video link from Perth prison.

Adam Gallagher from Arbroath was deemed “too dangerous” to bring to court, which resulted in the legal first.

It is understood the step has never been taken in Scotland before, though it has been used in England in connection with high-profile offenders such as Scots serial killer Peter Tobin.

Appearing on a large TV screen before Sheriff Richard McFarlane, the 30-year-old was being sentenced in relation to two incidents where he had smashed up cells. Depute fiscal John Malpass told the court that prison officers had spent hours negotiating with Gallagher after the first incident.

He said: “At around 6pm the accused decided to smash up his cell – ripping sockets from walls, damaging the spy glass in the door, ripping bolted seats from the floor and damaging the walls.

“As a result prison officers spent two hours trying to diffuse the situation and the accused eventually complied. He was removed to another cell to secure him and remove disruption to other inmates.

“In relation to the damage, it was priced at £2,242.30.”

He added the second instance had caused damage to the value of £1,907.

Solicitor Kevin McCarron, representing Gallagher, said it was “safe to say he’s been a difficult prisoner ... to manage”, adding that he had “longstanding anger management issues”.

He said: “He can only apologise for his behaviour. He’s paid the price in part through loss of privileges but he realises he has to answer to the court for it.

“There is no rhyme or reason for it. He’s got a particularly short fuse and he’s been unable to access courses to deal with that.”

Gallagher interjected to tell the sheriff that he had been requesting help with his anger management issues for the past seven years.

The killer is serving a life sentence for killing fruit picker Marek Smrz, 21.

He plunged a steak knife into the young Czech’s heart as his girlfriend robbed him of his wallet in Arbroath’s Marketgate area.

During Gallagher’s trial, jurors heard the victim had been slumped in the street after drinking, presenting an easy target for the pair.

The theft of his wallet roused him, however, and Gallagher then struggled with Mr Smrz and stabbed him.

Sheriff McFarlane sentenced Gallagher, who is set to be transferred to HMP Glenochil, to serve 163 days for each of the two charges.

Angus man Adam Gallagher was described as a ‘difficult prisoner.’