Anger after 21,000 hours’ community service written off

JUSTICE: MSP says it is a ‘slap in the face’ for all victims

A Scottish Government decision to write off 21,000 hours of convicted criminals’ community service in Fife has been described as a “slap in the face” for victims.

Holyrood used extraordinary powers in January to cancel 262,153 unpaid hours of work given to convicted criminals in Scotland.

That included more than 6,000 in each of Dundee and Perth and Kinross, and 4,749 in Angus.

Orders imposed for domestic abuse, sexual offending and stalking were excluded from the waiver.

With more than 21,000 hours cancelled, the kingdom had the second-highest number of hours written off in Scotland.

Fife MSP Murdo Fraser, pictured right, who obtained the figures, said criminals were being “let off the hook”.

“The amount of community payback orders cut by the SNP in Fife is absolutely staggering,” he said.

“They’ve let criminals off the hook by writing off these sentences.

“That is a total slap in the face to victims of crime across Fife.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said the move was necessary to prevent the build-up of unpaid work because of public health restrictions.

“The pandemic has been an unprecedented public health challenge,” he said.

“Our justice system has continued to operate effectively despite the challenges of the pandemic and those on community orders will still serve the majority of their sentences.”

Criminals in Fife sentenced to community payback orders are being let “off the hook”, it has been claimed, after it was revealed 21,000 hours of unpaid work was never carried out.

The Scottish Government says it used “extraordinary powers” in January to write off parts of community payback orders because of the coronavirus crisis.

Community payback orders are used by courts as an alternative to prison sentences and can include unpaid work, such as picking up litter.

But the decision to scrap the hours has been branded a “slap in the face” to victims of crime in Fife by one local politician.

Figures obtained by Mid Scotland and Fife MSP

Murdo Fraser show criminals in Fife sentenced to community payback orders had more than 21,000 hours waived – nearly three times the Scottish average.

The Scottish Conservative claims the SNP government is “letting criminals off the hook” in the kingdom – which had the second highest number of hours written off in Scotland.

Across the country 262,153 unpaid hours of work given to criminals have been written off.

That included more than 6,000 in each of Dundee and Perth and Kinross, and 4,749 in Angus.

Mr Fraser said: “The amount of community payback orders cut by the SNP in Fife is absolutely staggering.

“They’ve let criminals off the hook by writing off these sentences. That is a total slap in the face to victims of crime in Fife.

“SNP ministers need to ensure these community sentences are taken seriously and fulfilled.”

He added: “It is the latest example of the SNP letting down victims.

“The Scottish Conservatives will continue to push for a victims’ law to be introduced to put victims first and end the SNP’s soft-touch justice system, by ensuring criminals receive appropriately tough sentences.”

The Scottish Government says the move was necessary to prevent the build-up of unpaid work because of public health restrictions.

A spokesperson said: “The justice system holds those who commit offences to account and communitybased sentences have helped contribute to record low reconviction rates in recent years.

“The pandemic has been an unprecedented public health challenge.

“This was recognised by parliament when last year it approved legislation to allow community orders to be varied where necessary, as well as regulations earlier this year to reduce unpaid work hours.”

The spokesperson added: “Our justice system has continued to operate effectively despite the challenges of the pandemic and those on community orders will still serve the majority of their sentences.”

“They’ve let criminals off the hook by writing off these sentences. That is a total slap in the face to victims

OFF THE HOOK: The Scottish Government says it used “extraordinary powers” to write off parts of payback orders because of the pandemic.