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Cycle Attack Enquiry: Unfinished Business
Questions Continue About Police’s Heavy-handed Action
04.02.10
The decision in Jauary to clear Rannoch resident Alex Grosset of serious allegations that he sabotaged last year’s cycle race became - after Comment broke the story - a big one for the nationals. However, the question of why he was targeted by the police, and other aspects of their methods, is still causing concern, and a campaign of vilification against him is continuing.
Alex Grosset, 63, who lives in Bridge of Gaur at the western side of Loch Rannoch, had spent more than eight months wondering and worrying whether he would face criminal prosecution after police tried to pin the blame on him for spreading tin tacks on the Schiehallion section of the Etape Caledonia route. It was alleged his action showed complete disregard for the safety of the thousands of competitors and if convicted it is likely he would have been jailed.
He had appeared last May at Perth Sheriff Court on the charge of spreading carpet tacks on a 10-mile stretch of the race between Kinloch Rannoch and Tomphubil and the B846 between Tomphubil and Aberfeldy. When the Crown Office decided to drop the charges neither they nor the police bothered to tell him or his solicitor, and it was Comment that broke the news to him after making a routine inquiry to the Crown Office’s press department.
On 17 May, tacks were strewn on the road just before a scheduled 3,700 cyclists were due to pass along it, and a large numbers of cyclists were affected by punctures. Some were thrown off their bikes, 500 had to replace tyres, the race was held up for 90 minutes and the route had to be shortened.
The day afterwards, police turned up in force at Alex Grosset’s home with a warrant. They conducted extensive searches, arrested him, and then drove him off to Perth for questioning. He spent two nights in the cells before appearing in court and being granted bail.
Campaign of Vilification
The shock of being accused of a criminal offence was only part of his ordeal. The immediate media publicity of his arrest spread worldwide via the internet, and a vindictive and sometimes threatening campaign of vilification began, mostly promulgated by cyclists who showed no concern that he might be wholly innocent. Even after the news broke last month that he had been cleared, some are still pointing the finger of suspicion at him, and even proposing private legal action.
That Alex Grosset was a qualified lawyer, chair of Rannoch and Tummel Community Council, and a Kirk elder only seemed to inflame them.
He had also been active in the Pitlochry Rotary Cub which led police to interview other members, apparently on suspicion that the Rotary could have been involved in a plot.
Mr Grosset said he felt vindicated by the Crown Office decision to drop the charge: “I’ve got to say the whole situation was horrifying. Spending two nights in Perth police station isn’t exactly great. I didn’t realise that the justice system could treat people like that.
No Shred of Evidence
“I never did it, and there was never a shred of evidence to suggest that I did, which makes me wonder why it took so long for it to eventually reach this point. The thing that needs to be considered is that, if I didn’t do it, someone else did, and they haven’t been caught.
“Because of this my details have been posted on Internet sites and I have received hassle from people on the back of that, but everyone at the community council and round and about Rannoch has been very supportive.”
He blamed his arrest on a throwaway remark made over lunch with other locals in the week before the event. He said: “One of the company asked ‘What do you do – we have protested to the council and they are not paying any attention?’ And I said – in the same way that you might say Gordon Brown needs shot – ‘I suppose you could always stick tacks on the road.’ It was banter over lunch with friends. But then I was arrested. It was absolutely crazy.”
Apparently police were acting on evidence from at least one witness who had spotted a bearded man with a dog driving a large pick-up on the section of the race route where tacks were strewn. Alex Grosset has a beard, a dog and a pick-up, but denied being anywhere near the race.
Although he was arrested in May and his case was sent to the Crown Office a few months later it was not until just before Christmas that police were ordered to conduct two identification parades. On each occasion none of the police’s witnesses were able to identify Alex. Soon after this, the decision was made to drop the charges.
Wrongful Arrest
After his arrest, rumours circulated that detectives had gathered evidence he had bought a large quantity of tacks from a local store but it wasn’t true. It now appears police had such a weak case that they may now be vulnerable to counter legal action from Alex Grosset for wrongful arrest and imprisonment which if proven could cost them dearly in damages.
Another factor for the Crown Office may have been the decision of the police to send a council dustcart along the affected section of the race route to suck up all the tacks and allow the race to continue. This pleased the race organisers and their backers P&K Council which was eager to see it a success after having to contend with bitter criticism from pressure group ACRE which is opposed to closed road events. However, it meant there was no possibility of identifying where the crime had been committed, an example of the police polluting their own crime scene.
The Crown Office said last month: “After full and careful consideration of all the facts and circumstances by Crown counsel, it was decided there should be no further proceedings.”
However, at that stage it was not clear whether anyone else was in the police’s sights. A police spokeswoman at first told Comment that another suspect had been reported to the Crown Office but this was instantly contradicted. It now appears the police inquiry has been shelved
Cycling Fanatics
Among the unfinished business are the damaging and erroneous comments circulating on websites still blaming Alex Grosset for the attack. CycloSport, which says it is “run and managed by cycling fanatics”, reported the dropping of charges last month. Since then it has received the following comments from registered members:
W.MacD: “I will be attending again this year and i hope even more people do, the joker was never ever going to be punished for what he did, i would also like to see the organisers taking out an action against him”
Dave Pilkington said: “Can all those affected put together a class law suit and sue this selfish B*** for every cost that he caused people to incure (sic). I wasn’t there but his is the sort of thing that makes me really angry.
Rskiwi: "We spent a lot of money on this event which was spoiled completely by this selfish man. I do not think it is possible to have removed all the tacks so I think there will be many punctures again this year. We (4 persons) will give it a miss this year."
But an alternative view came from ‘Useacarinstead’: “What I find absolutely amazing is this guy was charged without any evidence whatsoever!!! It just shows what a complete joke the police are nowadays!!! Nobody saw him at the scene and it would have been impossible for him to get there by foot from where he lives!!! It’s just an example of the law wanting to charge someone because he spoke up against it he was framed. I hope he sues the police force for wrongful arrest.
Continuing Dissent
 A record 4,500 riders paying £56 per head have signed up for the 2010 Etape Caledonia race due to take place on May 16 this year and it is now sold out. On the other hand, ACRE announced it has not given up opposition to the council’s controversial decision to allow the 81 miles of road closure the race organisers demand.
A complaint is being prepared by ACRE to the police about its handling of last year’s event, and a survey is being planned to assess the real benefits to Highland Perthshire of having such a race.
ACRE has not yet announced what form of protest it might make at this year’s event, although it has always opposed any illegal action.
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