Stag party duo to stay in Latvia

Oct 08, 2009
TBT Staff

RIGA- The two men who were accused of assaulting a police officer in Rigaon June 13, 2008 have been released from prison on bail. The men, David Birkinshaw and Matthew Neale were extradited to Latviain August and held at Riga's Central Prison.

The two deny the charges of assault and trial proceedings have been adjourned until next Friday when more witnesses will testify in court.

"I was confident from the start, they're just delaying it another week, and then it will be over," one of the defendants told journalists.

"He's not a child murderer. It's really big news over here but that was over the top. It was shocking 's almost like they were animals being watched at a zoo or a circus," Charelle Neale, fiancée of Matthew Neal said regarding the proceedings.

Juris Circens, the policemen in the incident claims he was head butted five times, though security cameras in the bar did not support the claims.

The incident occurred outside popular Riga bar Melnais Kakis when the two were on a stag weekend in Latvia. If found guilty, the two will face seven years in prison. The trial will continue on October 16.

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