Pubdate: Tue, 04 Jul 2000 Source: Guardian, The (UK) Copyright: 2000 Guardian Newspapers Limited Contact: 75 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3ER, England Fax: +44-171-837 4530 Website: http://www.newsunlimited.co.uk/guardian/ Forum: http://www.newsunlimited.co.uk/BBS/News/0,2161,Latest|Topics|3,00.html Author: Kirsty Scott DRUG CASE FAILED 'FOR WANT OF A JUDGE' Drugs In Britain: Special Report Police and politicians have raised concerns about a lack of judges in Scotland after a case against an alleged drug smuggler collapsed because it could not be processed in time. William Varey, 50, was arrested on July 2 last year and accused of being involved in a UKP50,000 cannabis ring. The deadline to try him expired at the weekend and the charges were dropped because a judge could not be found. "It is very disappointing," said Superintendent Fred McManus, president of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents. "This type of scenario raises grave concerns about resourcing in the court system." The Scottish executive, however, has denied that there was a shortage of judges. The Scottish National Party will raise the issue in the Scottish parliament this week. "There must be an inquiry to establish exactly why a judge couldn't be found," said shadow justice minister Roseanna Cunningham. "It suggests a justice system which is creaking at the seams, which is why there has to be a long hard look at what happened in this case. If the underlying problem is a lack of resources, then it raises serious questions about the UKP48m underspend in the justice budget revealed last week." - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk