Crown criticised by judge over alleged rape remand time
A judge has criticised Crown officials after a man was held in jail on remand for one year - even though prosecutors could not prove the charge against him.
Jamie Callaghan, 24, was accused of raping a 20-year-old woman last July, and of detaining the woman and a 21-year-old man in his flat in Glasgow.
He was jailed at the High Court in Glasgow for two years and eight months after being convicted of assault.
Lord Matthews said he was "concerned" about the length of the remand period.
Mr Callaghan was alleged to have committed the offences in the Govan area on 18 and 19 July last year.
'Party in park'
After trial he was found guilty of attacking the pair with a hoover hose and an imitation handgun.
The rape charge had been the reason why the 24-year-old, who had a few minor previous convictions, was refused bail.
Jailing him, Lord Matthews told Callaghan: "This started out as a party in the park and ended up in your flat.
"You then assaulted the two people with a hoover pole and threatened them with an imitation firearm. You were remanded on July 21 last year charged with rape.
"The Crown accepted during the trial that they could not prove the charge of rape, but nevertheless you were remanded for a year as a potential rapist."
"I am a bit concerned about that."