Thursday, December 16, 2010

Andrew McFarlane - Part 1 - Evidence in chief.

Picture: James Galloway

Mr Sheridan began by recapping with Mr McFarlane his evidence from the previous day, confirming with the witness that he had become aware of the importance of the date Friday, 27th September 2002 in relation to this case around six or seven weeks ago during the course of this case. Mr McFarlane replied that regarding this date, he “could access it on the national news”, and that “my picture was on the national news”, going on to describe how he and his wife had discussed whether the hip operation was around that time, that he worked out that he was at home watching the golf, and that his wife had returned to the house around 9pm the evening in question.

Mr Sheridan asked “Are you keen on golf?”, with the witness replying “Very much so”, then describing that the golf he was watching was particularly memorable as it was the bi-annual Ryder Cup tournament, between teams from Europe and USA. Mr McFarlane went on to say that he had contacted his doctor to confirm the dates of the hip arthroscopy surgery, and Mr Sheridan produced a letter from Doctors Cameron, Duthie, Herron & Marshall, dated 13th December 2010, confirming the witness's hip surgery in August 2002 and a further 2 week sick line given to the witness on 26th September 2002. Mr Sheridan asked why the witness had waited until the 13th December 2010 to ask for this information, with the witness replying that it had been a very stressful time for him and his family, and had been busy with work also. Mr Sheridan asked the nature of the operation, with the witness describing a small camera being inserted to examine the hip. Mr Sheridan asked whether the camera was inserted in the hip area, with the witness responding “I think it was the groin area”. The witness went on to state that the recuperation from this surgery was not totally successful and subsequently he had required hip resurfacing surgery, an alternative to hip replacement.


Mr Sheridan moved on to ask the witness if, on 27th September 2002, it was possible he was in the company of Anvar Khan and Katrinne Trolle from mid-afternoon, as they had testified in court, to which the witness replied “Absolute nonsense”. Mr Sheridan asked the witness if there were any after effects of the hip surgery, the witness stating he had a “permanent limp”.

Mr Sheridan then asked the witness if he knew Gary Clark, which the witness confirmed, with Mr Sheridan stating that Mr Clark had testified that he recalled being in a car with Mr McFarlane, Mr Sheridan, Anvar Khan and Katrinne Trolle, and that they went to a sex club together, then asked the witness if Mr Clark was lying. Mr McFarlane replied “Yes”, and when Mr Sheridan asked if he was positive, replied “Absolutely”.

Mr Sheridan then displayed a copy of the Daily Record newspaper from Monday 7th August 2006, and the witness confirmed that in it was a story with a picture of him and his wife. Mr Sheridan asked “Was your wife Gillian in a particular way at the time?”, with the witness replying that she was expecting their first child. Mr Sheridan then led the witness through some of the newspaper article, which included Mr McFarlane denying that he was involved in any trip to Cupid's or that he had any sexual relationship wit Ms Khan or Ms Trolle, and Mr McFarlane confirmed that the content of the story accurately reflected his words. In particular, Mr Sheridan drew attention to a section where Mr McFarlane described how his wife Gillian had made him “swear on my mum's ashes and my unborn baby's life that the allegations were untrue”, and asked Mr McFarlane about his mother, with the witness replying that she had passed away in 1997.

Mr Sheridan then asked the witness if the date 27th September 2002 had meant anything to him at the time of the article and the Sheridan V News of the World defamation action in 2006, with the witness stating that this date had only come to mean anything to him in the course of the current trial. Mr Sheridan stated that they would discuss what Mrs McFarlane had said when she was called as a witness, and Mr McFarlane reiterated that he had told the truth in 2006, although the choice of words he used then would be difficult to say now. Mr Sheridan then displayed to the court a family photograph, with Mr McFarlane going round the photograph identifying himself, Gillian McFarlane, the joint accused Mr & Mrs Sheridan, Mrs Alice Sheridan, Lynn Sheridan, Mr McFarlane's father, the father of Mrs Sheridan & Mrs McFarlane. When he was finished, Mr Sheridan asked if he might have forgotten someone. After a brief pause, and some direction to look in the bottom right corner, Mr McFarlane commented "How could I forget - Jack the highland terrier".

Mr Sheridan then moved on to ask whether the witness recalled anything unusual about Gary Clark in September 2002, with the witness responding that Mr Clark had been going through an awful period involving alcohol as well as a course of treatment, and that he had tried to help Mr Clark, as many others had also done at the time.

Mr Sheridan then moved on to the witness's relationship with the accused, asking him how long they had known each other – the witness replying 16 years – and that they shared many interests including football, badminton, tennis and scrabble. Mr Sheridan asked the witness “Do I always beat you at Scrabble?”, eliciting the response “No”. Mr Sheridan stated that “I would like to remind you that you are still under oath - but unfortunately you are right”.

Mr Sheridan asked how the witness felt when the articles were published regarding his involvement in Mr Sheridan's sex life, with the witness responding that he had never been so offended and had been deeply hurt and angry.

Mr Sheridan then asked if he had ever met Susan or Suzy Dobbie, with the witness stating he had never heard of her.

Finally, Mr Sheridan asked whether Mr McFarlane was telling lies in court, which the witness denied.

With that, Mr Sheridan left the lectern and returned to the dock beside the co-accused, his wife Gail Sheridan.

22 comments:

ATOS said...

Why a "particular reference to "Jack the Highland Terrier""?

Whatsy said...

ATOS - if you really want the full gory detail - I'm going to add a little bit in a few minutes.

Not that it will help you much.

James Doleman said...

Jack was mentioned in Katrine Trolle's evidence, we even got shown a picture of the alleged pet.

Anonymous said...

Was there a particular reason behind...

'Mr Sheridan asked the witness “Do I always beat you at Scrabble?”, eliciting the response “No”. Mr Sheridan stated that “I would like to remind you that you are still under oath - but unfortunately you are right”.'

...or am I the only person who found it a bit cringy and overly friendly.

Watcher said...

I thought it was a nice moment, they are best friends after all.

marvin said...

Nothing surprises me.

I'm expecting the white highland terrier to now have "natural" black fur and for a line of witnesses to testify he's a doberman and always has been!

Anonymous said...

Why doesn't TS call Des McLean to prove how easy it is to "do a Tommy". They have appeared on stage already anyway.

Erasershead said...

Wasn't a marathon scrabble match mentioned earlier in the trial as a possible alibi for the Cupid's visit?

Watching football and golf on TV and playing scrabble seems to be a suburban pastime in the Cardonald area - some matches are apparently so memorable that exact dates and detail can be recalled!?

What exciting lives these people lead.

And the score on the bullshitometer is...

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

ajohnstone said...

wonder if anyone can tell me of the SSP members and Solidarity members called as witnesses , who has been affirming and who been taking the oath on the bible?

Anonymous said...

So Andrew McFarlane had a sick line from his doctor that covered the period of the alleged visit to Cupids!

This is very powerful evidence to set against the claims made by the Crown witnesses

Steve said...

James Doleman 6.44 PM

From:
http://sheridantrial.blogspot.com/2010/10/day-10-katrine-trolle-testimony-morning.html

"She was also shown a photograph of Tommy and Gail Sheridan holding a small, white, West Highland terrier which she identified as being present at the house when she was there."

Yes, but it's still the case of the dog that didn't bark in my book!

Does Jack have an alibi? Is he going to be called as a witness for the defence?

Ven Dredi said...

Without particular reference to any single witness, is it possible that we have embarked on a continuum of perjury trials resulting from the 2006 defamation action?

Rolo Tomasi said...

The family photo, the Scrabble banter, Jackie the wee dug, aaaahhh...

I hope the court issued sickbags to the public gallery before things kicked off this morning.

I thought Camp Zeist was a low point for Scottish justice, but this makes the trial scene in Airplane II look like the Winslow Boy. Surely he can't be serious?

Anonymous said...

Ah back to the scrabble, that old chestnut....

Whatsy said...

@Anonymous 6:49pm

Re: "Was there a particular reason behind...

'Mr Sheridan asked the witness “Do I always beat you at Scrabble?”, eliciting the response “No”. Mr Sheridan stated that “I would like to remind you that you are still under oath - but unfortunately you are right”.'

...or am I the only person who found it a bit cringy and overly friendly.
"

I thought it was pretty funny to be honest.

Hip Hop said...

Whatsy:

1) subsequently [after minor investigative procedure] he had required hip resurfacing surgery, an alternative to hip replacement.

When did this happen, did the GP evidence made it clear whether or not the big op was done before the supposed Cupid's visit?

Whatsy said...

@Hip Hop
As I recall, the resurfacing happened three years later, but I haven't taken a not of this. It may have been three years ago, but either way, it would be after the current alleged date of the Cupid's visit.

Anonymous said...

Dear Mr Cupid,

Andrew can't come to your dirty club, he has a sore hip and can't do the riding.

Yours

Dr Hffuffurr

Anonymous said...

The evidence in court is that a GP gave Macfarlane a line to excuse him from work due to his hip problem on 26th Sept 2002. It is ridiculous for us to speculate as to whether this man was in pain or not. His doctor obviously thought he shouldnt be at work which is not disputed.

My friend waited 6 years for a hip operation with the pain getting steadily worse, Macfarlane may have been in that position at that time or not, but he certainly had enough of a problem to warrant the camera and the doctors sick line.

Ven Dredi said...

Whatsy

Yes, it was mildly drĂ³le or might have been in other circumstances.

But if Thomas is found guilty I suspect that the good Lord Bracadale may be tempted to reserve the last laugh for himself in recognition of having his court turned into a Ralph C Nesbitt set.

Anonymous said...

"She was also shown a photograph of Tommy and Gail Sheridan holding a small, white, West Highland terrier which she identified as being present at the house when she was there."

How no jist ask the doag? Ah mean, doags dinnae lie dae they?

Comedy Unit said...

The Tommy Sheridan Trial

An Effingee Production

Special Effects by "Quentin Tarantino"