Rape charges against Cornet dropped

David Knox • Published 17 Jun 2011 09:30

RAPE and abduction charges made against the 2010 Peebles Cornet have been dropped by the crown.

Finlay Barber was accused of the offences against an 18-year-old girl at the T-in-the-Park festival last summer.

The 29-year-old had made a private appearance at Perth Sheriff Court on July 30, where he made no plea nor declaration.

The accusations and surrounding publicity led to him being elbowed out of his Cornet's post by the Peebles March Riding and Beltane Queen Festival Committee at the end of January - a move which caused widespread anger and debate on the letters page of the Peeblesshire News.

But this week, following a month of speculation, the Crown Office announced that proceedings have now been dropped against Mr Barber.

A spokesman told the Peeblesshire News: "The Procurator Fiscal in Perth received a report relating to Finlay Euan Barber in connection with an alleged incident occurring between July 11 and 12, 2010.

"As a result, proceedings were raised at Perth Sheriff Court, and he appeared on petition on July 30, 2010, charged with rape and abduction. He made no plea or declaration and was released on bail.

"As with any case, the Crown has an ongoing duty to keep cases under review. Following full and careful consideration of all of the facts and circumstances in the case including the available evidence, Crown Counsel decided to discontinue those proceedings."

Mr Barber along with his mother, Isla, declined to comment on this week's developments - stating that it was too close to this year's Beltane Festival to make remarks.

A spokesman for the Beltane Committee said: "We are pleased for Fin that legal matters against him are dropped.

"At this late stage we want to concentrate on organising this year's Festival."

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 17 Jun 11

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