Number in Dock for Breaching Bail Doubles in Last Three Years

Posted on: Friday, 18 July 2008, 15:00 CDT By Andrew Picken THE number of people prosecuted for breaching their bail conditions in the Lothians has more than doubled over the last three years. Latest figures from the Scottish Government show 616 people were taken through the courts for bail offences last year, compared with 268 in 2003/04. Opposition MSPs today said the figures proved a radical overhaul was needed of the system, But the Scottish Government said tougher sentencing for those breaching bail conditions, introduced in December, mean those caught now have no excuses. The volume of bail orders issued has jumped significantly in recent years with the advent of the European Human Rights Act, which allows anyone to apply for bail regardless of the offence. In the Lothians, the figures have soared from 7030 in 2003/04... [read full story]