December News update
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is Scotland's public prosecution authority. In addition to prosecuting crimes in District, Sheriff and High Courts, the department is also involved in enquiries into sudden and suspicious deaths. On a day-to-day basis staff are also involved with local criminal justice partners working in their communities.
Below is a sample of the type of cases and events we have been involved in over the past month:
Reckless Conduct
* We persuaded Appeal Court judges to overturn the acquittal of Fife driver Ronald Klos. Mr Klos will now return to court in Kirkcaldy to be sentenced for culpable and reckless conduct by driving at 156mph while holding a mobile phone to his ear.
Rosepark fire
* Three people appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday, 9 December, following a fatal fire at Rosepark Nursing Home. Thomas, Anne and Alan Balmer appeared in private in relation to breaches of health and safety legislation.
Tackling Domestic Abuse
* The Solicitor General, Elish Angiolini QC, spoke out against domestic abuse during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence project. Mrs Angiolini also spoke at a Domestic Abuse conference in Edinburgh. Meanwhile District Procurator Fiscal Sharon Ralph spoke to the Moray Domestic Abuse conference about the department's commitment to prosecuting this kind of crime.
Home and Abroad
* The Lord Advocate, Colin Boyd QC, spread the COPFS message at home and abroad by visiting local staff in the Inverness, Tain and Wick Procurator Fiscal offices. Mr Boyd also hosted an important meeting of prosecutors, judges and other officials actively engaged in the fight against international crime, when the European Judicial Network met in Edinburgh as part of the UK Presidency of the EU. Most recently he attended a meeting of international prosecutors in China.
'Mini trials'
* On a more local basis the Alloa Procurator Fiscal Office was involved in a 'mini-trials' event at the local Sheriff Court giving secondary school pupils the opportunity to see how courts worked, and what role the Fiscal plays.
Contact: Communications: 0131 247 2701