Councillor willing to travel to Latvia for trial of two men

A COUNCILLOR has vowed to travel to Latvia to act as a witness in the trial of two Derby men who are facing extradition to the country.

Matthew Neale and David Birkinshaw believe they will be sent to the Baltic state to stand trial next month.

The pair were part of a stag party celebrating the impending wedding of Lee Graves, son of Alvaston ward councillor Alan Graves, when they were arrested following a bar scuffle in the Latvian capital Riga.

They were accused of assaulting a police officer but both deny the charges.

Councillor Graves, who was part of the group, witnessed the incident and is willing to travel to Latvia at his own cost to tell the courts what he saw.

He said: "If it is required for me to travel out there, I would be more than willing to do so.

"I witnessed the incident and I know for a fact that Mr Neale did not hit anyone. This whole situation has affected their lives considerably.

"I'm not even sure how the whole process would work. I would expect to be called as a witness but with it taking place in Latvia, I don't know if that will happen."

Mr Neale and Mr Birkinshaw were arrested by police following an incident last June.

During an extradition hearing at the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court last week, the decision on whether Mr Neale and Mr Birkinshaw would be sent to Latvia was adjourned for one month.

But both have been told by their barrister that they are likely to be sent at the next hearing, on July 16.

Rolls-Royce worker Mr Birkinshaw, 33, of Brackens Avenue, Alvaston, was due to marry his fiance Rachel Gee, 23, in ten weeks.

The couple, who have a two-year-old daughter, Lola, have cancelled their wedding and are trying to sell their home to pay for legal fees.

Mr Neale and his fiancee Charelle, who have two children, Cameron, 10, and Georgia, seven, were due to be married in August.

However, because of the extradition hearing hanging over Mr Neale's head, they have had to call the wedding off.

Fees for legal representation in Latvia could cost the pair between £3,000 and £12,000 each.

Councillor Graves said: "I have concerns about the whole legal process around extradition hearings as well.

"They were cleared of the charges by a court in Latvia and because that decision was appealed, they have to go back over there. I would have thought someone here would have reviewed the evidence before sending them."

Mr Neale, a 35-year-old civil engineer, of Shelton Lock, said he was grateful for the support offered by Mr Graves.

He said: "It is fantastic to have that support from Alan. It puts your mind at rest because I know that I am completely innocent. To have someone who is willing to go over there and tell them that is great."