Flying Vet News

Maurice has asked for the following documents to be posted to the downloads section of the site.

You can view them from the MOST RECENT tab here:

They are listed as follows: 

http://www.kirkflyingvet.com/PDFs/SWPolice_SummaryOfEvidence.pdf
South Wales Police Summary of Evidence document

http://www.kirkflyingvet.com/PDFs/Interview Statements_Transcripts.pdf
Interview transcripts and statements

http://www.kirkflyingvet.com/PDFs/Letter_SWPoliceSolicitors_170609.pdf
Letter to Dolmans solicitors

http://www.kirkflyingvet.com/PDFs/CPSDocument_CardiffCrownCourt_220609.pdf
CPS document

http://www.kirkflyingvet.com/PDFs/Letter_CardiffCrownCourt_230609.pdf
Letter to Cardiff Crown Court

http://www.kirkflyingvet.com/PDFs/Letter_PossesionMachineGun_010709.pdf
Letter concerning possession of Lewis machine gun

http://www.kirkflyingvet.com/PDFs/ComplaintForm_Cardiff Prison_030709.pdf
Cardiff prison complaint

http://www.kirkflyingvet.com/PDFs/Letter_Airweld_MGun130709.pdf
Letter from Airweld concerning Lewis machine gun

http://www.kirkflyingvet.com/PDFs/Letter_CardiffPrison_2407090001.pdf
Letter to Cardiff Prison

http://www.kirkflyingvet.com/PDFs/Letter_PrivyCouncil_RCVS_260709.pdf
Letter concerning Privy Council and Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

http://www.kirkflyingvet.com/PDFs/Letter_JudicialComplaints_050809.pdf
Letter containing list of Judicial complaints

http://www.kirkflyingvet.com/PDFs/PoliceReasonsForRefusingBail_070809.pdf
Reasons for refusing bail by the South Wales Police

http://www.kirkflyingvet.com/PDFs/Letter_ForBailApp_080809.pdf
Letter supporting bail application

http://www.kirkflyingvet.com/PDFs/Letter_BailApplication_100809.pdf
Bail application

http://www.kirkflyingvet.com/PDFs/Letter_CaswellClinic_1408090.pdf
Letter from Caswell Clinic

http://www.kirkflyingvet.com/PDFs/Letters_toCPS_220809.pdf
Letter to the CPS

http://www.kirkflyingvet.com/PDFs/Letter_ CardiffCrownCourt_260809.pdf
Letter to Judge, Cardiff Crown Court

http://www.kirkflyingvet.com/PDFs/Letter_ReasonsBehindArrest_260809.pdf
Letter explaining perceived reasons for arrest

http://www.kirkflyingvet.com/PDFs/Letter_3rdSep09tHearing_280809.pdf
Letter concerning 3rd September court appearance

http://www.kirkflyingvet.com/PDFs/JudicialReviewApp_280809.pdf
Judicial review application

http://www.kirkflyingvet.com/PDFs/RCVS_LawStatement_SF_Moore_BA.pdf
Statement of the law by S.F. Moore BA

http://www.kirkflyingvet.com/PDFs/Correspondence_PatrickCulinane.pdf
Various correspondence to the press by Patrick Culinane

Transcripts of Maurice's numerous court appearances at Cardiff Crown are now available in the download section. Please click here.

These cover proceedings from 25th June to 30th July regarding his arrest and incarceration just prior to him about to take South Wales Police to court over long term harrassment.

Further transcripts are due to be sent over and uploaded.

Maurice has been in touch by phone to say he's being refused access to his legal papers, stamps and money in order to begin building a defence for himself in time for the court hearing on September 1st, he also asked Caswell Clinic to allow him his conjugal rights, they refused that too. Some of what he needs (for the defence) is being held at Cardiff Prison but they won't allow him to have it transferred to the clinic. His laptop has been brought in by his wife but he is being refused access to both. 

By the time his 28 day evaluation is up (in which he fully expects to be given a clean bill of health) it will be too late for him to mount an effective legal defence against parties with all the time, power and resources they require at their disposal.

A new charge against Maurice in addition to those due to be heard at the September 1st court hearing has been added to the original charges - count 1 possession of a firearm without a license and count 2, selling or transferring a firearm without a license.

To these count 3 will be added - possessing criminal property, contrary to sec 329(1)(C) of the proceeds of crime act 2002. Maurice John Kirk between the 1st of January 2008 and 23rd June 2009 possessed criminal property namely £2,000 knowing or suspecting it to constitute a person's benefit for criminal conduct.

Caswell Clinic is only allowing him one phone call per day, but any people with information or advice that could be of help (for the defence) can reach him on 01656 753081.

On Saturday 8th August because of the effect on his wife and daughter and the changes in his circumstances since Friday's court hearing Maurice has come off hunger strike. However he is refusing all medication and will only eat food brought in by wife and friends and only drink tap water.

Legal proceeding have been instigated in regard to Maurice's inability to gain a bail application without the aid of a lawyer. The basis of which forms around the following past attempts:

On the 6th July bail hearing as witnessed by Maurice's son Alex, the judge refused to hear any applications. Maurice was presented via video link and was cut off before he could appeal the decision.

"The prison told me later that that he was the first person to attempt to apply for bail on the video link unrepresented" he says.

16th July, Judge N. Cooke was informed that the prisoner had refused to appear for that's day's hearing. Maurice's refutes this. On being informed of the court appearance he asked the prison what it was about, so that he could make legal preparations, the prison informed him that it was not a court hearing and that if he wanted more information he was to talk to his barrister via video link.

"this was both pointless and inaccurate advice, I did not have a barrister for one and as it turned out it was a court hearing" he says.

Maurice on hearing the news that he's missed a hearing barricaded himself in his cell until he received, in writing, a proper explanation of what was going on.

30th July hearing, Maurice enquired of the prison regarding this hearing and was told "that it was none of his business".

7th August, a hearing to decide whether to allow a section 35 be applied to Maurice Kirk took place at Cardiff Crown Court. The CPS were very surprised to hear that Maurice was in court for this one, it seemed they expected the decision to go through unopposed. Unfortunatly Maurice was unable to mount an effective defense since he had not been given, as requested, a copy of the physiatric report until actually arriving at the court a few minutes earlier. Judge Llewelyn Jones approved the request that Maurice be sectioned and refused to allow Maurice's wish that the author of the report be brought into court on oath.

Maurice has been unable to defend himself at each turn of events, the courts and the prison service it seems do not recognise a prisoner without a lawyer present, hence his application for a writ of habeas corpus.

In Cardiff Crown Court at 12.30pm it was announced by the court recorder that Maurice Kirk was in the building. This caused much surprise and consternation amongst the CPS legal team since nobody it seemed expected him to appear. A thick red book was brought out so that they could hastily check up on the details of section 35 of the mental health act. It was discussed whether the judge would want to see Maurice or send him back to his cell, the recorder was sent to broach the subject with Judge Llewellyn Jones.

Judge Jones it seems is a brave man. He agreed to see Maurice and allow him his time in court. Eyebrows were elevated all round.

Maurice was eventually summoned, appearing in a black www.kirkflyingvet t-shirt and prison tracksuit bottoms. He looked very gaunt and had to be assisted to his place by the prison guards. Sporting the same gray beard that he'd cultivated when under FBI guard inTexas last year, he was able to acknowledge us with a quick wink.

Maurice argued that the psychiatric report submitted by Dr Tegwen Williams, although dated 3rd August, was based on an assessment (or lack of one) carried out earlier (23rd July). Maurice requested/demanded that Dr Tegwen Williams confirmed his opinion under oath in court. Maurice clearly thought that today's hearing was to be a bail application rather than a hearing during which he would be sectioned. He made it clear that he would continue to refuse food in protest.

Maurice put forward his case forcefully: anyone who knows Maurice would recognise that, although physically weak, his mental faculties are functioning normally - despite not being given a copy of the psychiatric report until his arrival at court he was well able to quickly assimilate, process and objectively discuss its content. Unfortunately his frustration at his incarceration was evident. He queried why, considering that he is not the only person to have possessed the Lewis machine gun during its history, he is the only person to have been charged.

Maurice was removed directly to Caswell Clinic for a period not exceeding 28 days. He can arrange an independent psychiatric examination and report at his expense. We would prefer him to be moved to a facility outside this Health Authority. We are looking into a mechanism by which we can appeal todays order.

Maurice was sectioned under the mental health act today at Cardiff Crown Court. He was directly transported to Caswell Clinic, Bridgend for 28 days evaluation.

He appeared gaunt and tired in court but it was blindingly evident to those who know him that this is the same old Maurice, breathing fire and stubbornly refusing to give an inch, unfortunatly the phsyciatrist didn't see things this way and thus, no doubt to cover his ***, categorised Maurice's stance as in all probability being a 'mental health problem' or 'personality disorder'. Published report is up in the Download section or go here.

A more detailed report will be forthcoming later today or latest by early tomorrow morning.

Very quickly...since we're making a mad dash to get to court 5 at Cardiff Crown by 12pm today. Maurice has been given a hearing but we don't know what about - judge Llewelyn Jones is presiding.

Based on prison information he is to be taken to court, it is possible this might mean he's now taking food, but if it's to do with sectioning him then may be not.

His family solicitor was unable to attend him today to sort out his will and power of attorney due to the sudden court appearnace. Will report back later today.

BTW some people believe their posts are not being allowed up. Only one post has been heavily edited on instructions from Maurice, some have been moved to better places. All other posts should be getting through without any issues, we don't hold them back for editorial approval when initially posted. Site ran out of disk space last couple of weeks while we were on holiday, which maybe the cause of any posts not going up. Has been rectified by upgrading Maurices web server account.

If posts still do not appear I'll provide a support email later today for you to send me your posts directly, as we don't have time for a bug hunt at the moment.

PS. Maurice appreciates comments that are supportive, informative and based on the facts...keep the hyperbole and personal agendas down to a minimum plz. We're trying to maintain as wide an audience as possible.

We also need clear, consise and factual information, avoid bloat and ranting if poss. 

Thanks PIE221

Problems posting? Think your post been removed? Email support@kirkflyingvet.com

Maurice phoned today at 2.45pm (6th Aug) and stated that his hunger strike is on going, rumours that he was taking food again were inaccurate. He's now lost 3 stone and beginning to exhibit health problems.

He has stated that he has told all Doctors who have examined him including the physiatrics that if Judge Cook fixes a court date within 7 days, he will come off hunger strike. So far this has not been granted.

A Dr Tegwyn M Williams of Caswell Clinic, Bridgend has written to the Court stating that he has been unable to detrmine Maurice's mental state to a conclusive level and that the only way to make a full determination would be to have him sectioned under the mental health act (sec 35) www.hyperguide.co.uk/mha/s35.htm for 28 days assessment at his clinic. Dr Williams has asked the Prison Govener to consider allowing Maurice a court appearance for bail, suggesting that it is by no means clear that Maurice is mentally incapable.

Maurice's physiatric report has not been given to him as he requested, he has also requested a copy of the report be sent to his wife Kirstie. As far as we are aware this also has not occurred.

Maurice has requested his family solicitor to draw up his will and assign power of attorney.

Yesterday (04/08/09) I visited Maurice, prison number AK6632, at HMPS Cardiff. He is very thin and is feeling weak. He did not think that he would be able to walk from the healthcare block to the visiting area at my next booked visit (Saturday). He seemed resolute and as astute as ever but did not answer me when I asked how much longer he intended to carry on refusing food.

I told him that it is likely that he will be sectioned under the Mental Health Act for 28 days "for assessment". He, as I, strongly believe that there is no creditable reason that he should be sectioned.

Maurice is an oustandingly intelligent man of principle with a fierce sense of justice. He is an irritant to heavy handed authority and is being treated inhumanely. He is sometimes contraverstial, incredibly focused and very stubborn. Psychiatric wards will be filled very quickly if these are admittance criteria.

I have been told this afternoon (05/08/09) that Maurice is taking food again. I have been unable to verify this as no-one was available to speak to me at HMPS Cardiff, no one has returned my calls. I have telephoned the Ministry of Justice and been redirected to the department that deals with offenders cases. Before I can be told whether my husband remains on hunger strike I must pose my question in writing. Presumably I will receive a response within 28 days.

Similarly, I have requested information regarding blood and urine tests carried out this past week. I must apply in writing. 28 days is too long to wait for a response in these circumstances. Maurice is ketotic and possibly already suffering some renal damage: drinking water but barely/not urinating.

I have contacted Maurice's preferred psychiatrist to try to arrange an independent opinion - he is on holiday until September. I am keen to contact a psychiatrist outside this area who might be able to assist or recommend a colleague. 

I hope to get more information soon.

Kirstie Kirk

Maurice Kirk rang at 3.15pm today (2 August 2009) from the Hospital Wing of Cardiff Prison, as he was transferred there on 29 July 2009.  Maurice said that he was assessed by Psychiatrist, Dr Gaynor Jones for two hours on Friday 31 July 2009.  “It was a grueling session, mentally and physically” he said.  Maurice also relayed that he is in a lot of pain and finding it difficult to walk now. Maurice would not be persuaded to abandon his hunger strike.

The Glamorgan GEM - Friday, 31 July 2009

Flying Vet on hunger strike

www.barry-today.co.uk/.../news.cfm