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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Jail warning for knife carriers | Jail warning for knife carriers |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| A tougher approach to knife crime has led to more offenders being jailed in Scotland, according to prosecutors. | A tougher approach to knife crime has led to more offenders being jailed in Scotland, according to prosecutors. |
| More than 600 people have been prosecuted on indictment since new guidelines were issued in June 2006. | More than 600 people have been prosecuted on indictment since new guidelines were issued in June 2006. |
| A total of 69% of those arrested were remanded in custody. Those later jailed received an average term of just over 11 months. | A total of 69% of those arrested were remanded in custody. Those later jailed received an average term of just over 11 months. |
| Solicitor General Frank Mulholland said the figures sent out the message that anyone carrying a knife risked jail. | Solicitor General Frank Mulholland said the figures sent out the message that anyone carrying a knife risked jail. |
| "You risk going to prison and staying there for a long time," he said. | "You risk going to prison and staying there for a long time," he said. |
| "Anyone thinking of carrying a knife should think again. We will not be relaxing our robust prosecution policy." | |
| Knives were involved in 57 murders and injuries to hundreds of people in Scotland last year. Carrying a knife is using a knife - by picking up a knife you have already committed that crime Det Ch Con John CarnochanViolence reduction unit | |
| Former Lord Advocate Colin Boyd introduced the new guidelines to ensure those carrying knives were prosecuted on indictment, allowing judges and sheriffs to impose longer sentences. | Former Lord Advocate Colin Boyd introduced the new guidelines to ensure those carrying knives were prosecuted on indictment, allowing judges and sheriffs to impose longer sentences. |
| Bail would also be opposed if they had a previous conviction for carrying a knife or violence resulting in jail. | Bail would also be opposed if they had a previous conviction for carrying a knife or violence resulting in jail. |
| In December, Mr MacAskill said he wanted to discourage prison sentences of six months or less, saying the government wanted "tough" community orders used instead. | |
| Figures analysed by the Crown Office revealed that since then, 641 knife carriers had been prosecuted on indictment with 367 being kept in custody. | Figures analysed by the Crown Office revealed that since then, 641 knife carriers had been prosecuted on indictment with 367 being kept in custody. |
| Of the 572 cases concluded, 448 people were convicted, of whom 349 were jailed. | Of the 572 cases concluded, 448 people were convicted, of whom 349 were jailed. |
| 'Soft touch' | |
| Det Ch Con John Carnochan, head of the violence reduction unit, said: "This lets persistent knife carriers know that not only are you more likely to be stopped and searched, but you can be kept in custody and remanded in prison to await trial. | Det Ch Con John Carnochan, head of the violence reduction unit, said: "This lets persistent knife carriers know that not only are you more likely to be stopped and searched, but you can be kept in custody and remanded in prison to await trial. |
| "Carrying a knife is using a knife - by picking up a knife you have already committed that crime." | "Carrying a knife is using a knife - by picking up a knife you have already committed that crime." |
| Labour justice spokesman Richard Baker accused Mr MacAskill of a "soft touch approach". | |
| "Labour doubled the maximum sentence for knife carrying but this progress is in danger of being destroyed by nationalist proposals that would see 81% of knife criminals dodge jail," he said. | |
| Scottish Conservative MSP Gavin Brown raised concern over the use of fiscal fines, designed to deal with 'low level' offences like vandalism and breach of the peace and ease the pressure on the courts. | |
| He went on: "The SNP should be hanging their heads in shame. | |
| "People used to condemn a 'get out of jail free' card for criminals. This government is even worse - it delivers 'get out of court free' cards." |