Anger over rise in sex offenders and thugs freed on bail
HUNDREDS of violent thugs and sex offenders are granted bail after being found guilty, putting public safety at risk.
The number of criminals bailed after assault convictions has doubled to more than 1,600 in a year.
Last night, the figures sparked fears that bail is being used to free up space in prisons.
Scottish Tory chief whip John Lamont said: ‘Most people would rightly expect that when someone is convicted of a serious offence, their liberty is taken away from them.
‘To discover that hundreds are being given bail after having been found guilty is shocking.
‘We need an assurance that these people are not being given bail purely because there are not enough prison places for them. The simple fact is that if you have been found guilty of a serious crime, you should be going straight to jail.’
The figures, obtained from the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) under freedom of information legislation, show thousands of convicted criminals are being granted bail. They are then trusted to turn up, often weeks later, for sentencing.
In 2014-15, 1,644 people convicted of assault were given postconviction bail, up from 777 the previous year.
Some 62 were bailed following convictions for sexual offences, including rape, up from 48.
A further 215 were bailed after being convicted of carrying offensive weapons, such as knives, up from 209.
Some 401 people convicted of drugs- related offences were bailed, up from 389.
The biggest group granted bail were those convicted of breach of the peace or ‘threatening or abusive behaviour’ – up to 2,770 from 2,746.
Matthew Reiss, a former police area commander in the Highlands and now an independent Caithness councillor, said: ‘Most frontline officers will tell you that pretty much the only deterrent in the criminal justice system is physically getting locked up.
‘That’s the reality and some of the “experts” who claim prison doesn’t work should speak more to the victims of crime, especially the elderly.
‘Criminals and their lawyers exploit the system to the full. That’s entirely legal but many would say victims’ rights are way down the priority list.’
Officials said they could not provide figures for reoffending during post-conviction bail, due to the cost of retrieving the data.
But Scottish Government statistics last year revealed a fifth of all violent crime and nearly a tenth of sexual crime had been perpetrated by people on bail (pre and post-conviction).
Scottish Labour community safety and legal affairs spokesman Elaine Murray said: ‘Some of these increases are hugely worrying and serious questions need to be asked about how the bail system in Scotland is currently operating.
‘Scots will be concerned that violent, convicted criminals are able to receive a reprieve before going to jail.’
The SCTS said: ‘Each decision in a court case is decided upon its own facts and the presiding judge or sheriff will take into account representations from prosecution and defence ahead of making any decision.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘ Decisions about whether to grant bail in any individual case is a matter for the court.
‘If anyone breaks the terms of their bail conditions, they will face the consequences.’
‘Serious questions need to be asked’