The trial of James Andrew Husband and Gary Dobbie

[richardb]

Seemed appropriate to give the trial its own thread.

The case has sttarted:

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/16262547 ... urt_hears/

[Avon]

I knew quite a lot of the back story, but seeing the allegations in black and white is pretty shocking.

[LHA]

thank you. into court alone they go.

[J.R.]

Nothing in the press from Friday.

I therefore assume the Judge has adjourned until Monday 4th.

[richardb]

There was a delay yesterday afternoon and it looks like the court didn't sit for much of the day.

These are by no means uncommon and the trial should proceed on Monday.

[J.R.]

There was a delay yesterday afternoon and it looks like the court didn't sit for much of the day.

These are by no means uncommon and the trial should proceed on Monday.

Thanks Richard.

I've been rather out of touch for a few days.

[Chrissie Boy]

Isn't it interesting that the Brighton Argus doesn't allude to Gary Dobbie's being a clergyman? It suggests a deliberate decision not to. He's merely referred to as having been 'head of house' and having been a teacher who also taught at Shrewsbury School. Even when the complainant in question refers to having mentioned the matter to the Chaplain, no mention is made of Dobbie's having been an Assistant Chaplain, which would have put into context the fact of her having complained to the Chaplain. [NB: The person the victim complained to was NOT Dobbie, it was another Chaplain - jtaylor, Moderator]

Is it possible for a court to be told not to try a person as a clergyman but only as a teacher, with a partial news blackout imposed on the local and national media stopping them from flagging up the accused as yet another cleric facing abuse allegations?

[richardb]

Although it is possible for a court to make such a direction, I would be surprised if it has in this case.

What is more likely is that newspapers have used agency copy and the writer has not picked up on Dobbie's vocation. Or his vocation has not been mentioned in the prosecution opening.

[Chrissie Boy]

Thanks, Richard.

It's astonishing that the journalist didn't even bother Googling the name Gary Dobbie for background information, though. Almost beyond belief, in fact.

[richardb]

Strictly speaking they are only supposed to report what is said in court.

But they can never resist referring to the employment, eg retired international footballer, etc.

Previous press coverage has referred to Dobbie's posts in the chaplaincy.

[Avon]

IIRC by the time I left, Debbie was senior chaplain.

I think it was Porteous, Atkinson and Dobbie when I joined and Dobbie and Banyard when I left.

I would hope that the chaplaincy issue isn’t material to the matter of establishing guilt, but is material should guilt be proven, and a sentence is being considered.

When does Karim get the good news?

[richardb]

The newspapers say that prize-giving for Karim is around 23 July which suggests he will be sentenced at the end of this trial. Doubtless with Husband and Dobbie if either or both of them get convicted.

[J.R.]

Ooooh, The Suspense !!!!

[richardb]

Early days John, early days.

[J.R.]

Early days John, early days.

In my day, trials were set with an expected duration. Have you heard anythng ?