Monday 22 March 2004

Grave offence

The ned culture enters new territory:
TWO teenagers are to become the first people in more than 100 years to go on trial accused of breaking an ancient "grave-robbing" law.

The two young men, aged 17 and 15, are set to stand trial this week at the High Court in Edinburgh accused of "violation of sepulchre".

"Violation of Sepulchre". What a fantastic charge. Can you imagine the EU coming up with terminology like that?

Of course, I may be misreading the situation:

The pair are accused of violating the tomb of one of Scotland’s most brutal historical figures, Sir George ‘Bloody’ Mackenzie, a former Lord Advocate during the reign of King Charles II.

Mackenzie earned the nickname for his prosecution of the Scottish Presbyterian Covenanters, which lasted between 1684 and 1688 and saw many sent to their deaths. He also founded the National Library of Advocates in 1687.

Perhaps the accused were protesting against Mackenzie's outrages against the Covenanters. Nah: It's probably because the guy founded a library.