Bail review to keep abusers in custody

A REVIEW of bail is under way to ensure public safety is “top of the agenda” in cases of stalking and domestic abuse, the Solicitor-General announced yesterday.

Lesley Thompson QC revealed the Crown Office move at a National Stalking Awareness Day event at the Scottish Parliament.

She said: “It’s to make sure that, when we’re considering either custody or bail at that initial court stage, we have all the right information to ensure public and personal safety is top of the agenda.

“It is particularly relevant to stalking because in many instances we’ll be dealing with perpetrators who don’t have a background already, which can also happen in domestic abuse cases.”

The review began in the past few weeks and is expected to conclude next month, she said.