Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Court’s closure ‘putting strain on justice system’
POLICE in North-East Fife have been dissuaded from reporting certain types of crime following the closure of Cupar Sheriff Court, it has been claimed.
Councillor Margaret Kennedy, chairwoman of Fife’s safer communities committee, said she believed the procurator fiscal’s office in Dundee has been giving informal advice to officers in North-East Fife “not to bother” reporting low-level instances of careless driving or housebreaking in a bid to ease the workload at the city’s sheriff court.
That assertion has been denied by the Crown Office but the allegations have once again raised question marks over the Scottish Court Service’s decision to shut 10 Scottish courts in 2014.
Cupar Sheriff Court business was subsequently transferred to Dundee but Ms Kennedy reckons the city is struggling to cope with cases from across the Tay.
Ms Kennedy said “Apparently there is a report going through the relevant committee at Holyrood that has concluded the effect of the loss of Cupar has been the most keenly felt, though the publication has been delayed. This for me begs the question as to why Cupar was closed at all. What will the impact be on the wider justice system if we aren’t dealing with some criminal activity?”
Figures revealed last summer suggested the number of serious cases being delayed due to lack of time in Dundee more than quadrupled since the closure of neighbouring courts, with 22% of solemn cases delayed due to a lack of court time after the move compared with just 5% prior to the closure.
However, the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service said there was no link between court closures and the increase in solemn adjournments.
A Crown Office spokesperson dismissed the latest suggestions about what impact the closure of Cupar’s court has had on Dundee, saying: “It is wholly inaccurate and misleading to suggest police have been — or would ever be — advised ‘not to bother reporting’ any alleged criminality such as this.
“Reports relating to instances of careless driving and house-breaking continue to be received and are considered on a case-by-case basis before any decision as to how to proceed is taken.”