We read somewhere the other day of a Sheriff's outburst at a young male appearing before him in court wearing shorts. The Sheriff expressed his 'astonishment' at such audacity and publicly stated that this mode of dress amounted to 'Contempt of Court' and warned all and sundry that poor dress code in future could result in a jail sentence.
We find it difficult to assess what, exactly, the Sheriff was taking exception to, whether it was the bony knees or the naked knees but, on any view, it was a draconian and jackboot approach to the legal process. In our eyes, as long as the attire does not display anything offensive or indecent, anyone appearing in court is entitled to wear whatever he or she feels comfortable with according to whim, weather, or whatever. It is, perhaps, our only remaining liberty in this crazy and intolerant country of ours called Scotland.
And what if the young man had been wearing a kilt, allegedly Scotland's National Dress? And, woe betide, with a Sgian Dhu attached? Or, in the utterly bizarre trans man/woman thing gifted us by Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney, a mini-skirt?
In our view, the Sheriff must be rebuked and brought to heel for his outburst as this goes well beyond his remit. At the very least, 'the authorities' should have a quiet word in his shell-like.
And to think our prisons are stuffed full to over-capacity already! No wonder with Sheriffs like this about!
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