Children from P6 and P7 at Halyrude Primary School have been lucky enough to take part in a mock trial at Peebles Sheriff Court.

Peter Sellar and Gavin Thornley, two advocates, kindly came in and taught us everything there is to know about court and how to prepare a criminal case for court. The case was to find out who had stolen the Beltane Queen’s crown from Sainsbury’s car park in Peebles.

We split into two teams (defence and prosecution) and all had a role to play in the trial. Some of us were witnesses and some of us were lawyers.

On Thursday, April 2 Peebles had a trial for the stolen Beltane crown and to find out if Roger Dewsbury was to be found guilty or innocent.

Many people were questioned as witnesses to defend Roger or try to prove he was guilty of the crime. Some witnesses thought they saw him near the car that had the crown in it and when he left they saw him cradling something in his hands.

After listening to the evidence, Primary 4/5 acted as the jury and voted eight to six in favour of Roger being guilty.

Roger Dewsbury was accused and was found guilty. When they said he tried to make a runner but failed. Roger Dewsbury was found to have stolen the crown on June 23 at 7pm at Sainsbury’s car park. He said he dropped an apple under a car but most people don’t believe him. We will wait to see what his sentence will be for this terrible crime! Thankfully the crown has been found!

by Primary 6