Car park courtroom for weapons accused

A scallop fisherman accused of having a haul of medieval-style weapons in a public park has been fully committed for trial after a court was convened in a car park yesterday.

Sheriff Fiona Tait moved her courtroom to the rear of a G4S prisoner escort van to deal with a prisoner with a potentially harmful skin condition.

It was the second time in a week that court officials have trooped out the back of Perth Sheriff Court to conduct proceedings inside a van.

Jamie Wisbey, 49, has been diagnosed with scabies or a similar condition and was kept in a plastic cell during the brief hearing in the back of the van.

Wisbey was fully committed for trial on a petition alleging he was found with a crossbow in the South Inch in the centre of Perth during the early hours of June 1.

He was also alleged to have been in possession of a bow and arrows at the same place and time.

A third charge against himalleges that he had another offensive weapon, namely a locking saw blade, in the public park and at Perth Railway Station.

Wisbey, gave his address as no fixed abode and was remanded in custody after bail was refused.

He was brought to the rear of the court amid concerns his skin condition posed a potential threat to the safety of G4S and court staff, as well as the general public within the building. Sheriff Michael Wood initially remanded Wisbey in custody in similar circumstances last week.