The trial of a group of Angus Royal Marines on indecency charges alleged to have occurred in a nightclub near their base may be delayed by a Hurricane Irma mercy mission.
The seven servicemen, who were all based at RM Condor on the outskirts of Arbroath are accused of public indecency in the Angus town’s DeVito’s nightclub on June 2.
The case is scheduled to go to trial in Forfar next week, and the court heard on Tuesday one vital witness will not be available due to his role as part of the Commando response to the Caribbean clean-up operation in the wake of the devastating storm.
Jordan Coia, 22, Ben James, 22, Michael Byrne, 26, Ryan Fowler, 23, Luke Bowen, 23, Jacob Holt, 21, and Craig Lynch, 43, maintained their pleas of not guilty when the case called before Sheriff Alison Mackay at Forfar.
None of the accused were present in court, their attendance having previously been excused.
They all maintained not guilty pleas at the latest stage of proceedings.
Each denies a charge of public indecency in the smoking area of the Millgate Loan nightclub comprising a variety of indecent acts .
It is understood that some of the accused have already been discharged from the Royal Marines, including Jordan Coia, whose solicitor told the court her client was still awaiting legal aid following his change in status.
The court then heard that a Colour Sergeant who has been cited as a witness in the matter will not be available on next week’s scheduled trial date having been sent out to the Caribbean as part of the UK military’s emergency response to the hurricane disaster.
Sheriff Mackay continued the case to trial.
The Royal Navy said it would be inappropriate to comment further while legal proceedings continue.
