65 convictions out of 1500 rape reports

MORE than 1500 police reports over alleged rapes in Lothian and Borders were sent to the procurator fiscal over the last nine years, but only 65 accused were jailed during that period.

New figures have revealed that 170 reports of rape were submitted between April 2007 and March 2008, but only 17 cases made it to court. Of these cases, only five were proved with the defendant sent to prison on each occasion.

A Crown Office spokeswoman said that research had shown that as many as a third of cases reported to the procurator fiscal may not be prosecuted because there is no corroboration of evidence.

A police spokesman said: "We ensure a robust investigation process is adopted whilst also ensuring the welfare of the victim. On securing evidence sufficient to libel a charge, a report is submitted to the procurator fiscal."