British official’s son asks for dismissal

James Meier

A high-ranking British official’s son asked a judge on Friday to

ensure there’s enough evidence against him to proceed with a trial.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Everett Dickey set an Oct. 11

hearing to look into the matter. If Dickey rules that sufficient

evidence exists against Newport Beach resident Alastair Irvine, a

trial will begin Oct. 21, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Mike Fell.

Another judge in July decided there was enough evidence in the

case, Fell said. So far, Irvine has been charged with felony stalking

and vandalism that allegedly occurred in Costa Mesa. Fell said Friday

that he is still considering additional charges, but would not

discuss them.

On Sept. 4, Irvine, 25, pleaded not guilty to one misdemeanor and

five felony charges. He could face up to 15 years in prison if

convicted.

Irvine’s defense attorney, James Riddet, has claimed that some of

the existing charges against his client are excessive and should not

be considered felonies. Riddet said he will file motions to reduce

some of the charges, including felony stalking and burglary.

The charges against Irvine stem from incidents starting in March,

when he allegedly got into a dispute with a neighbor and reportedly

threw acid on his car, the district attorney’s office has said. Then,

Irvine started pursuing a 19-year-old woman who already had a

boyfriend. When his advances were rejected, he allegedly threw acid

on the boyfriend’s car.

Ultimately, Irvine went to the Newport Tanning Club, where the

woman and her boyfriend worked, with a concealed weapon and

threatened the boyfriend with bodily harm, according to the district

attorney’s office.

Irvine’s father is Lord Derry Irvine of Lairg, England’s lord

chancellor and a close friend and mentor of Prime Minister Tony

Blair.