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| Alcohol 'no excuse' for violence | Alcohol 'no excuse' for violence |
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| Legislation will stop drunkenness being used as an excuse for criminal behaviour, Justice Secretary Kenny McAskill has said. | Legislation will stop drunkenness being used as an excuse for criminal behaviour, Justice Secretary Kenny McAskill has said. |
| Mr McAskill told a conference of world experts at Tulliallan Police College that the link between drink and violent crime had to be tackled. | Mr McAskill told a conference of world experts at Tulliallan Police College that the link between drink and violent crime had to be tackled. |
| Seven out of 10 people accused of murder in Scotland were under the influence of drink or drugs. | Seven out of 10 people accused of murder in Scotland were under the influence of drink or drugs. |
| The conference was organised by the World Health Organization. | The conference was organised by the World Health Organization. |
| Mr McAskill said: "Here in Scotland we have a clear lethal cocktail of alcohol and knives that results in carnage. | Mr McAskill said: "Here in Scotland we have a clear lethal cocktail of alcohol and knives that results in carnage. |
| "That's why we believe we have to trigger a message culturally, as well as through the legal system, that alcohol cannot and will not be tolerated as an excuse for criminal behaviour." | "That's why we believe we have to trigger a message culturally, as well as through the legal system, that alcohol cannot and will not be tolerated as an excuse for criminal behaviour." |
| He said 70% of those who commit murder are under the influence of drink or drugs. | He said 70% of those who commit murder are under the influence of drink or drugs. |
| What we are triggering is that it can no longer be a mitigatory factor Kenny McAskillJustice secretary | What we are triggering is that it can no longer be a mitigatory factor Kenny McAskillJustice secretary |
| Figures show that almost half of Scotland's 7,000 prisoners claim to have been drunk at the time of their offence. | Figures show that almost half of Scotland's 7,000 prisoners claim to have been drunk at the time of their offence. |
| The justice secretary said: "If you behave in an ignorant loutish manner, shout, bawl, breach the peace, assault someone, commit domestic violence, don't use alcohol as an excuse. This is unacceptable." | The justice secretary said: "If you behave in an ignorant loutish manner, shout, bawl, breach the peace, assault someone, commit domestic violence, don't use alcohol as an excuse. This is unacceptable." |
| Det Ch Supt John Carnochan of the police Violence Reduction Unit has said that alcohol use should be considered an "aggravating" factor when sentencing someone for a crime. | Det Ch Supt John Carnochan of the police Violence Reduction Unit has said that alcohol use should be considered an "aggravating" factor when sentencing someone for a crime. |
| Mr McAskill said: "What we are triggering is that it can no longer be a mitigatory factor. | Mr McAskill said: "What we are triggering is that it can no longer be a mitigatory factor. |
| "I will leave it to the Crown and the court to decide whether there are instances, and I think there are, where alcohol is an aggravation." | "I will leave it to the Crown and the court to decide whether there are instances, and I think there are, where alcohol is an aggravation." |
| 'Greater emphasis' | 'Greater emphasis' |
| Responding to Mr McAskill's comments, Labour's justice spokeswoman Margaret Curran said: | |
| "Labour agrees with the sentiments from the SNP justice secretary, but this is just one step and in dealing with a drinking culture, the wider issues must be addressed, for example poor health and antisocial behaviour." | |
| The Scottish Conservative Party said when it comes to alcohol abuse, some of the statistics were chilling. | The Scottish Conservative Party said when it comes to alcohol abuse, some of the statistics were chilling. |
| John Lamont MSP said: "The number of patients discharged from hospital with alcoholic liver disease has more than doubled in the past 10 years. | John Lamont MSP said: "The number of patients discharged from hospital with alcoholic liver disease has more than doubled in the past 10 years. |
| "These figures are clear evidence that the last executive's strategy to tackle alcohol abuse didn't make any impact on the problem." | "These figures are clear evidence that the last executive's strategy to tackle alcohol abuse didn't make any impact on the problem." |
| He also called for better detox and rehabilitation facilities. | He also called for better detox and rehabilitation facilities. |
| The licensed trade called for more responsible drinking | The licensed trade called for more responsible drinking |
| The Scottish Beer and Pub Association supported Mr McAskill's view that drunkenness was no excuse for violence. | The Scottish Beer and Pub Association supported Mr McAskill's view that drunkenness was no excuse for violence. |
| Chief executive Patrick Browne said: "The licensed industry in Scotland has never and will never support those who try to use alcohol as an excuse for their criminal actions. | Chief executive Patrick Browne said: "The licensed industry in Scotland has never and will never support those who try to use alcohol as an excuse for their criminal actions. |
| "Personal freedom to consume alcohol brings with it the personal responsibility to consume it sensibly." | "Personal freedom to consume alcohol brings with it the personal responsibility to consume it sensibly." |
| He added: "The licensed industry in Scotland looks forward to working with the police and Scottish Executive in more effectively tackling alcohol related crime." | He added: "The licensed industry in Scotland looks forward to working with the police and Scottish Executive in more effectively tackling alcohol related crime." |
| The third Milestones of a Global Campaign For Violence Prevention conference at the Fife college has been organised on behalf of the World Health Organization (WHO). | The third Milestones of a Global Campaign For Violence Prevention conference at the Fife college has been organised on behalf of the World Health Organization (WHO). |
| At the conference, worldwide experts will discuss developments in research, policy and practice for violence prevention. | At the conference, worldwide experts will discuss developments in research, policy and practice for violence prevention. |
| The two-day meeting at Tulliallan Castle from is hosting more than 200 researchers, practitioners and advocates in the field. | The two-day meeting at Tulliallan Castle from is hosting more than 200 researchers, practitioners and advocates in the field. |