Manhunt launched after accused absconds during trial at Inverness

A MANHUNT has been launched after a jury trial at Inverness collapsed when the accused failed to appear to give evidence following an adjournment for lunch yesterday.

Antonio Sabiu, from Fort William, faces a charge of being concerned in the supply of cocaine at Inverness Prison on February 20, 2012.

Sabiu (56) lodged a special defence of incrimination claiming the drugs had been given to him in the cell block at Fort William police station by Detective Sergeant Richard Baird (41).

Six wraps of cocaine were recovered from Sabiu when he was searched at Inverness Prison after being transferred from Fort William.

The trial heard how he tried to swallow the wraps of drugs but they spilled on to a desk in the reception area and further drugs were later found in his trouser pockets.

Sabiu, who was described in court papers as a prisoner at Shotts Prison, was expected to be giving evidence to the jury on the fourth day of the trial yesterday.

But his solicitor Gerard Sweeney had to tell the court that he was not present when the sitting resumed after lunch.

Sheriff Margaret Neilson sent the jury home for the day and placed reporting restrictions on the case to see if Sabiu could be traced.

The case recalled this morning but Sabiu was still not present and the contempt of court order was lifted by the Sheriff.

Mr Sweeney told the Sheriff that Sabiu had still not been located and he was being treated as a missing person by police.

“It’s unfortunate when we are at this stage of the trial,” said Mr Sweeney.

“I think that is an understatement Mr Sweeney,” replied Sheriff Neilson.

Depute Fiscal Roderick Urquhart told Sheriff Neilson extensive inquiries had been undertaken by the police who had gone to various addresses and there was no trace of Sabiu.

“He has apparently gone to ground. As far as I am concerned he is not a missing person. He is an absconder and I seek a warrant for his arrest.”

The Sheriff granted the warrant and the jury was recalled to be told what had happened.

The Sheriff apologised to the jurors and advised them that their involvement in the case was now at end.

However she said the situation was completely out of the control of the court.

The fiscal said if Sabiu is traced he will automatically be re-indicted.

“Mr Sabiu has now made Mr Sweeney a witness,” he added.

Detective Sergeant Baird was never suspended.

He denied passing the drugs on to Sabiu on February 17, 2012, and told the jury in his evidence the only thing he gave Sabiu was two cups of tea.

He said Sabiu had been detained following an allegation that he had threatened a police officer at a time when he was out on licence from Shotts Prison.

Detective Sergeant Baird spent three days in the witness box and emphatically denied having any involvement with drugs.

He said he had been interviewed by the police professional standards department in July 2012 and treated as any suspect and was given his rights and access to a lawyer.

He had not heard anything since.

Earlier the jury heard from Inverness Prison Officer David Stewart (28) how Sabiu was standing next to a desk with his hands clenched when he was being admitted to the prison.

He put his right hand up to his mouth and several packages fell over the desk as he tried to transfer them into his mouth.