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Angus pensioner delays dog ban case trial

Fiona Borders is planning to represent herself at trial.
Fiona Borders is planning to represent herself at trial.

Court proceedings against an Angus pensioner charged with breaching a dog-keeping ban have been further delayed after the accused said she could not go to trial.

Fiona Borders, who appeared in court on Monday, has now been advised to ensure she gets legal representation before the next calling of the case in July after a sheriff at Forfar told the 76-year-old she was facing a matter of “considerable seriousness”.

Borders, of Montrose Street in Brechin, continues to deny a charge that she contravened a section of the Dangerous Dogs Act by having a Staffordshire bull terrier or similar type dog in her custody on May 11, in defiance of a 10-year order disqualifying her from keeping dogs imposed at the same court on April 25.

The ban followed Borders’ conviction under the Dangerous Dogs Act of allowing a pack of Staffies to run out of control in separate incidents in Brechin and Montrose, resulting in two elderly dog walkers and their pets being attacked.

She denied the charges but was found guilty after trial.

Following two earlier callings, the pensioner had been due to face trial before Sheriff Pino Di Emidio yesterday, but told the court she was representing herself and had not had sufficient time to prepare her case.

Borders confirmed she continued to deny the charge.

She added: “I did babysit one of my pups which I sold last November. I didn’t keep the dog, I just babysat it overnight.”

The accused told the sheriff she had requested more information from the Crown Office and had also asked them to carry out an investigation into the previous case.

“I am not au fait with Scottish law. I want to find a solicitor that is actually going to act for me.”

Depute fiscal Hannah Kennedy said Borders had received the disclosure documents in the case, including police and civilian statements.

Sheriff Di Emidio told Borders: “This is a matter of considerable seriousness and it would be in your interests to seek the advice of a solicitor.

“It is a matter for you. This is not a straightforward charge. It is quite a serious matter and it is a matter that you should take action on sooner rather than later.”

The sheriff set trial for August 5, with a further intermediate diet in the case on July 15.