A financial “mess” has again derailed the trial of an Angus couple accused of severe animal neglect charges.
The trial of George and Alison Pattullo, who formerly traded as G&A Pattullo in Lintrathen near Kirriemuir, was due to begin at Forfar Sheriff Court this month.
But the Legal Aid board has refused their application for payment to representation despite the couple experiencing “severe financial straits” as a result of the legal struggle.
Proceedings will not now begin until September as an appeal to the board is readied.
The couple are accused of cruelty towards more than 200 animals and deny all charges.
Representing Alison Pattullo, solicitor Brian Bell said the refusal of Legal Aid was “surprising considering their financial circumstances”.
On Mr Pattullo’s behalf, solicitor Nicola Brown said: “This is a couple who rent the farm, they don’t own any assets. The shares they had were seized by a bank attached to an overdraft six weeks ago.
“They have debts of £70,000, no income from the farm, and have income of £12,000 from a farm tearoom. It is an absolute mess … they are in severe financial straits.”
An initial trial was due to start in February this year but was delayed for much the same reason.
Not contesting the extension, depute fiscal Hannah Kennedy said: “It’s in the interests of justice that evidence is led on both sides having said that, there’s only so much patience the Crown can have.”
A new trial date was set for September 15.
It is alleged that between December 1 and April 25, the Pattullos caused unnecessary suffering to 19 bovine and approximately 250 ovine animals, failing to seek veterinary attention for lame, sick and dying animals.
The case also alleges the couple, who are aged 63 and 58, failed to provide animals with adequate food and water over winter, causing them to become emaciated or in very poor body condition and there to be a very high mortality rate at the farm.