A solicitor in Fife has told a court he will not allow a client who is accused of making a bogus fire call to be rushed through the court system.

Concerns over the number of malicious 999 calls being made during the strike by firefighters have led to the authorities demanding that hoax cases are dealt with quickly.

Robert Stevenson, who is 53 and lives in Dunfermline, has appeared at the town's sheriff court charged with making a false call from a telephone kiosk last Saturday.

Mr Stevenson is also charged with committing a breach of the peace at the same time.

He has denied both allegations.

January trial

The depute fiscal, Jane Benson, asked for an early trial because of the nature of the alleged offences.

But Mr Stevenson's solicitor, Ian Beatson, argued he might not have sufficient time to prepare a case because of his client's psychological difficulties.

The lawyer added that he did not want to be rail-roaded. Mr Stevenson is now to be tried on 24 January.

A spokesman for the Crown Office said that the Lord Advocate had encouraged police and fiscals to act quickly, but rightly the Lord Advocate had no influence over the court process.