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Woman, 108, gets jury duty call | Woman, 108, gets jury duty call |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A woman who celebrated her 108th birthday at the weekend has been called for jury duty despite being more than 40 years over the age limit. | A woman who celebrated her 108th birthday at the weekend has been called for jury duty despite being more than 40 years over the age limit. |
Marion Richardson, from Airdrie in North Lanarkshire, has told how she had a great laugh when learned she had been selected as a potential juror. | Marion Richardson, from Airdrie in North Lanarkshire, has told how she had a great laugh when learned she had been selected as a potential juror. |
Her family contacted the sheriff clerk's office to see if she qualified for exemption because of her age. | Her family contacted the sheriff clerk's office to see if she qualified for exemption because of her age. |
They were told the age limit for jurors was actually 65. | They were told the age limit for jurors was actually 65. |
The Scottish Government last year outlined proposals to raise the limit to 70. | The Scottish Government last year outlined proposals to raise the limit to 70. |
Mrs Richardson is believed to be the oldest person in North Lanarkshire. | Mrs Richardson is believed to be the oldest person in North Lanarkshire. |
She received a letter last week which informed her she had been listed as a potential juror for a forthcoming trial at Airdrie Sheriff Court. | She received a letter last week which informed her she had been listed as a potential juror for a forthcoming trial at Airdrie Sheriff Court. |
Her grandson, David Gracie, 64, told the BBC news website: "The letter gave us a right hoot. | Her grandson, David Gracie, 64, told the BBC news website: "The letter gave us a right hoot. |
We have been telling everyone the jury duty story. It has given us a great laugh David Gracie Grandson "My sister contacted the court to let them know that grandmother was 108 years old. | |
"I think jury selection is done using the voters' roll and that does not list ages, so no-one is at fault. It is just something that happens." | |
Mrs Richardson still lives in her own home in Airdrie with her daughter. | Mrs Richardson still lives in her own home in Airdrie with her daughter. |
She was born in Peebles in 1901 and moved to Lanarkshire with her husband, Charles, when she was 19. | She was born in Peebles in 1901 and moved to Lanarkshire with her husband, Charles, when she was 19. |
She had three children, 12 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 21 great great-grandchildren. | She had three children, 12 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 21 great great-grandchildren. |
Mr Gracie added: "Believe me if she had been fit for it, and allowed to, she would have gone and done her jury duty. | Mr Gracie added: "Believe me if she had been fit for it, and allowed to, she would have gone and done her jury duty. |
"She is always game for a laugh and her mind is still very active." | "She is always game for a laugh and her mind is still very active." |
Her grandson told how she keeps busy by being involved with her local church and various organisations. | Her grandson told how she keeps busy by being involved with her local church and various organisations. |
Random selection | |
He added: "You should have seen her house for her birthday on Saturday. | He added: "You should have seen her house for her birthday on Saturday. |
"There were visitors coming and going from 10 in the morning till after eight at night. | "There were visitors coming and going from 10 in the morning till after eight at night. |
"We have been telling everyone the jury duty story. It has given us a great laugh." | "We have been telling everyone the jury duty story. It has given us a great laugh." |
A spokesman for the Scottish Court Service said: "Anyone over 65 is exempt from serving so the lady in question will not be required to attend for jury service. | |
"The service normally sends out an letter to potential jurors selected at random from the electoral roll. | |
"Recipients are asked to reply indicating if they believe themselves to be exempt and the letter provides details of those who qualify as exempt from service." | |
He added: "If people reply to this letter and are exempt we would not call them for jury duty." |
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