Trial postponed after accused man refuses to leave cell

A trial had to be postponed when the accused man refused to leave the court cells.

Louis Curtis, 58, apparently took his clothes off in the cells beneath the courtroom as a protest after a row about pens and paper. Witnesses waiting to give evidence had to be sent away.

Curtis is on remand and is accused causing a disturbance at his room at Dunfermline’s James Bank Hostel. It is also alleged he later smeared excrement over himself at Dunfermline police station.

Curtis denies that on January 24 at the hostel he behaved in a threatening and abusive manner by shouting and swearing, throwing furniture and household items out of his flat window, threatened violence, challenged people to fight, then at Dunfermline police station he smeared excrement on his hands and feet.

He is also accused of wilfully or recklessly destroying or damaging property at the hostel, damaging a fridge and bathroom unit by snapping a gas pipe, and throwing a set of drawers.

Solicitor Brian Black was asked to go and speak to Curtis and find out why he would not come up into the courtroom.

“He told me he had decided he was going to represent himself and brought with him a green book and two pens to help him to do this,” said the solicitor.

However, there had been a problem in him gaining access to the pens and book, resulting in a dispute with the G4S staff.

“He took all his clothes off I believe, and when I went to see him he was still only semidressed,” added Mr Black.

A new trial date was set for next Monday and Sheriff Craig McSherry said he would reserve consideration of contempt of court until then.