HMA v Mark Meechan

Mr Meechan has failed in an effort to appeal to the Supreme Court after he was found guilty of breaching the Communications Act 2003 at Airdrie Sheriff Court before Sheriff O’Carroll. The appellant had uploaded a video online of a dog performing a Nazi salute while stating a derogatory comment against Jewish people.

He was fined £800 as a result. However, his legal team them lodged a petition to the Supreme court after the Sheriff Appeal Court rejected his appeal at sift but the appeal court rejected the petition. The appellant was arguing that this was a necessary petition and it was competent.

However, at the appeal court Lord Carloway said: “This court has no power to grant leave to appeal from a sift decision from the Sheriff Appeal Court to itself. To do so would be in defiance of the statutory scheme. Nor did it have the power to grant leave to appeal to the Supreme Court in such circumstances.