Eight out of 10 sex offenders now walk free
NEARLY eight out of ten sex offenders were spared jail last year – as the average rape sentence hit the lowest level since 2014.
New figures also reveal that more than 60 per cent of violent criminals dodged jail, as hard-pressed courts opted for soft-touch measures such as community service instead.
Lockdown saw convictions fall by 44 per cent and left a backlog of cases that could take a decade to clear.
Last night, Scottish Tory justice spokesman Jamie Greene said: ‘victims of crime will be devastated to hear that so many criminals are avoiding jail time altogether – the deterrent of prison is simply withering away under the SNP administration.’
Scottish Government figures show only 23 per cent of convicted sex offenders were jailed in 2020-21 – down from 29 per cent a year earlier – with the number falling from 425 to 247.
Just 39 per cent of those convicted of a non-sexual crime of violence received a custodial sentence – the lowest proportion in at least ten years. The number jailed fell from 1,112 to 728.
The average jail term for rape is six years and eight months – the shortest since 2014/15.
The average sentence for sexual assault fell by a quarter to around two years and one month, while those convicted of culpable homicide served an average of five years and three months – a fall of 16 per cent.
The average jail term for housebreakers fell from one year and three months to just over one year.
Meanwhile, the average length of the punishment period in Orders for Lifelong Restriction, at 3.6 years, is the lowest for a decade.
The figures come after Police Scotland revealed earlier this month that the number of alleged rapes rose by more than 8 per cent in a year, while non-sexual crimes of violence shot up by more than 12 per cent.
Total convictions fell from 75,670 to 42,532, between 201920 and 2020-21. In 2019, the
SNP effectively banned jail terms under a year with a presumption against short sentences. In february, Justice Secretary Keith Brown said it was ‘puerile’ to keep locking up offenders. However, earlier official figures showed 9,842 violent crimes recorded in the last financial year – the highest since 2014.
Last night Scottish Labour justice spokesman Pauline McNeill expressed concern about the courts backlog and victims ‘being left in limbo’.
The Scottish Government said the Covid-affected data should not be seen as indicative of longer-term trends.
A spokesman added: ‘The Bail and Release from Custody Bill seeks to refocus how custody can be used to ensure public safety is protected, alongside the clear evidence showing short periods of custody can lead to more re-offending as compared to keeping people within communities.’