New recruits to champion environment

Two prosecutors have been appointed to help protect the environment and wildlife.

Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland said Kate Fleming and Shona McJannett will investigate and prosecute crimes committed against the environment. Their remit includes cases of animal cruelty.

The Lord Advocate said: "Our new specialist prosecutors will continue to develop the skills and knowledge built up by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) to deal with these cases.

"We know that serious and organised crime groups are becoming involved in environmental crime. Our specialist prosecutors will work closely with COPFS' civil recovery and criminal confiscation specialists to ensure that any proceeds of crime will be recovered."

Miss McJannett will work from Edinburgh, while Miss Fleming will be based in the Glasgow procurator's office.