Senior policeman will not face new trial

A SHERIFF has been criticised for branding senior police officers "the Gestapo", but appeal judges refused to revive a case against one of their police colleagues who had fallen victim to their interviewing techniques.

Chief Inspector Tom Forrester, 45, had been suspected of dangerous driving and neglect of duty, and was questioned at length by officers from Grampian Police's professional standards unit.

The prosecution collapsed after Sheriff Kenneth Stewart, who "jokingly" likened the unit to the secret Nazi police, ruled the interview was unfair.

The Crown claimed the sheriff had shown bias against the interview officers, however, Lord Carloway has rejected the appeal for a new trial.