Justice chief: We will learn from mistakes
Secretary makes promise to murdered Craig’s family
Sco t l a n d ’ s J u s t i ce Secretary has promised the family of murdered Pa i s l ey man Craig McClelland answers about the failings that led to his death.
Thug James Wright had been “unlawfully at large” for five months when he killed dad-ofthree Craig, 31, in a random blade attack.
The case lead to widespread criticism of the Scottish justice system when it emerged Wright had breached his curfew just 11 days after being released early from prison.
Humza Yousaf met with Craig’s family and partner Stacey Wilcox to assure them that lessons will be learned and new measures to improve victims’ rights are in the works.
Mr Yousaf said: “I gave a promise to the McClelland family and Craig’s partner that we will find out what went wrong in this case, and what lessons we can learn to prevent this from happening in the future.
“In the next few weeks you should see some very clear signals that we will do what we can to strengthen victims’ rights within the criminal justice system.
“Where we can strengthen measures for victims and put them even more at the heart of the criminal justice system, I will look to do that.”
Wright, 25, stabbed family man Craig to death during an unprovoked attack in Paisley’s Tweed Avenue on July 23 last year.
It was revealed that Wright, who had 16 previous convictions including two involving knives, had breached his curfew just 11 days after being released early from prison.
He was illegally at liberty for five months when he fatally stabbed Craig, who was at his brother’s home to play computer games.
Two separate reviews into home detention arrangements are now under way to establish what went wrong in the case, with both due to report later this year.
The case attracted widespread public attention and lead to changes in the law to deal with offenders who breach early release conditions.
It’s understood Mr Yousaf is considering making offenders who break the terms of their early release from prison more of a priority for police.
Wright, 25, was given a life sentence, with a minimum of 20 years, at the High Court after being found guilty of killing Craig.