May 2008
Thursday 22/05/2008
Following the article in The Herald today, titled “Bid to ban Lockerbie lawyers in secrets hearing”, which suggests that the Crown will next week attempt to “throw an unprecedented veil of secrecy over the appeal of the Lockerbie bomber”, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service today issued the following statement:
The Lord Advocate, Elish Angiolini QC, today announced that the legal talent available for prosecuting cases in the High Court has reached an unprecedented level as six new Advocate Deputes were appointed to prosecute cases in the highest courts in the land.
The Solicitor General, Frank Mulholland QC today welcomed the joint report "Natural Justice" prepared by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland (HMICS) and the Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland (IPS).
Tuesday 20/05/2008
Following claims in the media that “sex fiends” are being offered fiscal fines to avoid sending them to court; that fiscal fines were being offered in cases which may have resulted in imprisonment; and that summary justice reform had resulted in the liberation of a person accused of rape, the Crown Office today insisted that such claims were unfounded.
The Lord Advocate, Elish Angiolini QC, today visited the Scottish Prosecution College in Glasgow, where over 100 staff have now attended a 2 day intensive training programme in the investigation and prosecution of rape and other sexual offences.
The Lord Advocate, Elish Angiolini QC, today announced the appointment of Lesley Thomson to Scotland's most senior Procurator Fiscal post, the Area Procurator Fiscal for Glasgow.
Friday 16/05/2008
The Independent Inspectorate of Prosecution published on 15 May an inspection report on the Procurator Fiscal Offices in the Grampian Area.
Today at the Criminal Appeal Court in Edinburgh the appeal by Luke Mitchell against his conviction for the murder of Jodi Jones was refused.
Tuesday 06/05/2008
The Court of Appeal today upheld the conviction of Nat Fraser for the murder of his wife, Arlene Fraser