Peter Cadder: Minor case's major implications

The police who investigated a teenage Peter Cadder in Glasgow three years ago could have had no idea of the implications his case would have.

On the face of it, it must have seemed run of the mill. Cadder, then 19, was suspected of two assaults and breach of the peace in connection with an attack on Liam Tracey and his father John Tracey by a group of youths. He was detained at his home and taken to a Glasgow police station for questioning.

He was questioned without a solicitor and convicted, at least in part, on the strength of the admissions he made.

He appealed, and his case was heard at the Supreme Court.The judges disagreed with the Court of Appeal in Edinburgh, which had ruled that another man, Duncan MacLean, should not have been provided access to a solicitor.

Their decision was announced in London last Tuesday at 9.45am. Less than 36 hours later new legislation had been passed in the Scottish Parliament requiring police to provide access to a lawyer and quadrupling the maximum length of time a suspect could be held without charge, a move which will cost taxpayers more than 30 million to implement.

Almost 3,500 Scottish criminal cases, including convictions, could be affected by the verdict.