Man cleared of stalking senior Glasgow prosecutor at his work

Petr Berka, 54, was alleged to have put Barry Dickson, 71, in a 'state of fear and alarm' between December 2023 and May 2024.

Berka put posters up around Mr Dickson's office in Glasgow's Gorbals which contained the principal depute's information.

Berka claimed he did this after Mr Dickson allegedly refused to reschedule a court date for a separate matter.

Mr Dickson believed the matter stemmed from his refusal to bin Berka's other case.

Berka was found not proven of stalking Mr Dickson after a trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

Mr Dickson - who is the longest serving fiscal with 46 years' experience - told the court in his evidence that he answered an email from Berka.

He believed that this was in relation to Berka requesting that a case of his be dropped which was refused.

Berka, of the city's Parkhead, had been accused of vandalism and being caught with a weapon outside Glasgow City Chambers.

Mr Dickson stated that he became aware in March 2024 that handwritten posters had been placed on the walls outside of his Ballater Street fiscals' office in the city's Gorbals.

One read "We prosecute parenthood - COPS [Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service]

"info@SNP.org.

"@Scoteducation "

Mr Dickson said: "I used to see them when I was out walking and it did not resonate with me what this was about.
"I saw that and I thought it had nothing to do with me - I shrugged my shoulders and walked on. I saw most of them [posters] before matters came to light."

The lawyer later claimed a similar poster which included his name on it was put on his desk at work.

He said: "I got a severe jolt when I saw it."

An investigation discovered that a police officer had placed it on his desk earlier that day without telling him.

However, Mr Dickson stated that this was the first time that he saw his name on a poster.

He added: "I saw my name on the poster and I went into shock - I thought how did a person get access?"

Other posters shown to the court included the salaries of a prosecutor and the First Minister.

Beside Mr Dickson's name was written: "Refused to provide."

The lawyer claimed he had earlier been told that Berka had requested Mr Dickson's salary and a picture of him.

He said: "Then it appeared that Mr Berka said that he didn't need a picture and that he had one of me.
"I was shown the picture by the head of security through FaceTime."

Mr Dickson claimed that the picture was a cropped image of him in a Boys Brigade jacket.

He said: "I have no recollection where it was taken or who took it as all my Boys Brigade pictures are on my iPad.

"The Facebook is on a private Boys Brigade account which only I have access.
"The head of security could not track the picture to Boys Brigade records."

Mr Dickson stated that he was given a panic alarm from the police and a parking space after he reported the matter.

He said: "I still carry it. I don't know what he [Berka] looks like but he knows what I look like."

Mr Dickson added that he was then allowed to work from home after he underwent an occupational health assessment.

Shaun Alexander, defending, put it to Mr Dickson that he initially told police in a statement that he "wasn't overly concerned" and "I was not placed in a state of fear and alarm."

He replied that he had not been shown the statement, did not sign it or correct it and it "wasn't my recollection."

Mr Alexander also asked Mr Dickson whether Berka had emailed him to ask to change his court date.

Mr Dickson replied: "I cannot comment on that - I really don't know but my recollection is a letter was received asking me to discontinue [the case] and replied to that letter. There will be other letters sitting in the case directory."

Berka told the court in his evidence that he had emailed the Crown about changing hearing dates due to school holidays.

He also claimed to have emailed about why he was charged and received no reply.

Mr Alexander asked his client why he put the posters and he replied: "To inform the public of the behaviour of the procurator fiscal and their salaries."

Berka stated that he may have found the picture of Mr Dickson on Twitter.

He stated that he wanted Mr Dickson to know he had a picture to be "transparent" and refused to state that it was cause the lawyer to suffer fear and alarm.

Berka said: "I felt my family was under attack from the government and I had to correct the situation - I had to defend my family."

The matter against Berka for the vandalism and knife charges had a no case to answer submission accepted mid-trial.