The officer appeared at York Crown Court at a pre-trial hearing on Friday 2 February 2007.   Paul Hoffman (Recorder at York Crown Court) was the preciding Judge.    Lindis was not afforded equal facitilies usually expected by the Prosecution and Defence and was told instead by Paul Hoffman to sit on the bench behind Jonathan Carroll (Barrister representing Martin Sheppard). 

 

Jonathan Carroll made an application for the case to be dismissed.  In a surprising and unusual move,  Paul Hoffman ignored the fact that Ms Percy was not available on certain dates and said, "I am not bothered about her commitments".  He also took the unusual step of ordering Lindis to serve her witness statement on the Crown Prosecution Service which was to include an invitation to the CPS to take over the case. Paul Hoffman also said he would be dealing with this matter.

 

Martin Sheppard was bailed to appear at York Crown Court on Friday 23 March 2007.