Half of city court fines still unpaid

Published on Thursday 25 June 2009 10:08

MORE than half of criminals hit with a fine at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last year have either failed to pay or are in arrears, new figures revealed today.

A total of 2,146 people handed a fine after being found guilty are being chased for 1.1 million from 2008 after failing to make their payments.

More than 1.7m in unpaid or late fines are still outstanding from the last five years. The Scottish Court Service (SCS), which collects the fines, said fine collection rates were "higher than ever" while non-payment was being vigorously pursued.

The service said that the newly introduced fines enforcement officers would help to improve collection. However, critics said that fines were "in danger of becoming a voluntary punishment".

The SCS registered 4,216 fines accounts last year, with 2,146 in arrears. Fines are levied for a range of offences, including assault, breach of the peace, drink-driving, drug possession, vandalism and fraud.

Tory Lothian MSP Gavin Brown attacked the scale of the fines left outstanding. He said: "The Scottish Government must do something to recover the money owed to the taxpayer. Fines are in danger of becoming a voluntary punishment."

An SCS spokeswoman said: "Collection figures for fines imposed over a five-year period show smaller amounts for the earlier years – and larger amounts for the most recent years – since outstanding fines are collected over time, often through instalments over a number of years.

"Fines collection rates are higher than ever and further action is being taken to collect outstanding fines. The Scottish Court Service has recently introduced new measures to improve collection.

"These include better tracing facilities, the use of sheriff officers to deal with persistent defaulters and working closely with DWP to speed up benefit deductions."

Under the new powers, criminals who refuse to pay fines can face having their vehicles seized and wages or benefits docked. The Department of Work and Pensions can deduct up to 9 a week from benefits.