Sheriff warns lawyer over client’s Batman costume

A SHERIFF caused hilarity in his courtroom today – when he asked a solicitor to make sure his client did not turn up to court dressed as Batman.

By ALEXANDER LAWRIE Tuesday, 12th May 2015, 5:43 pm

Edinburgh Sheriff Court. Picture: TSPL

Solicitor Roy Harley was representing client Paul Mount who had failed to show up at Edinburgh Sheriff Court to answer charges of threatening to set bus passengers on fire.

Mr Harley told Sheriff Kenneth Maciver he had no explanation for his client’s absence, but added the last time they had met the man had turned up at his office wearing a “fluorescent green Batman” costume.

Sign up to our daily newsletter The i newsletter cut through the noise Sign up Thanks for signing up! Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting...

Mr Harley then pleaded guilty to the charges on behalf on 55-year-old Mount despite his client’s absence from the court.

Christian Bale as Batman in the Dark Knight. Picture: Contributed

Mr Harley told the court: “I received instructions from Mr Mount to plead guilty to the charge, but I have not seen him [at court] today.”

And when Sheriff Maciver asked why Mount had failed to turn up for his court appointment, Mr Harley said: “To be frank My Lord, when he arrived at my office [last week] he was wearing a fluorescent green Batman outfit. I think drink had been taken.

“But I do have instructions to plead guilty to this charge.”

Sheriff Maciver, who agreed to defer sentence for Mount’s personal appearance, said: “I will defer the matter to next Tuesday but perhaps you could tell him not to dress as Batman, or Robin for that matter.”

Mount has pleaded guilty to conducting himself in a disorderly manner on a number 35 Lothian Bus at Canongate, Edinburgh, by attempting to open a bottle which he claimed contained petrol and threaten to set the bus passengers on fire.