STOP PRESS
Captain Iain Grindley was ACQUITTED of Reckless Endangering a few minutes ago.
Charge 1: Recklessly Endangering
(a) re flying low level over the North Sea:
Not Guilty (Unanimous)
(b) re flying low level over the disused railway line:
Not Guilty (Unanimous)
(c) re colliding with the wires:
Not Proven (Unanimous)
(Charge 1 originally had 5 parts, but the Prosecutor withdrew 2 during the trial.)
Note:
Not Proven is a verdict available in Scottish Courts. It means the prosecution have not provided enough proof to convict a Defendant but the jury wasn't prepared to go as far as
Not Guilty. In England & Wales, the verdict in those circumstances would be
Not Guilty. Anyone given a verdict of Not Proven has nonetheless been acquitted.
Charge 2: Breaches of ANO
(a) Failing to keep proper records:
Not Guilty (Unanimous)
(b) Failing to ensure pax were familiar with Safety Procedures, as required by the company Ops Manual:
Guilty (Majority)
Well done, Al Gwilt.
Your expert evidence was obviously important - and clearly stood up to cross-examination by the prosecutor.
Tudor Owen