System ‘creaking at the seams’

POLITICIANS have called for action to tackle a growing backlog of cases, after reports it had doubled to 14,000.

There are fears that could lead to some statutory offences passing the six-month time limit, within which they must be dealt.

Johann Lamont, Scottish Labour justice spokesman, said: “Behind these figures are victims of crime – including knife crime – who are seeing justice denied or delayed. The system is creaking at the seams”

Alison McInnes, Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokeswoman, said: “Scotland needs a criminal justice system that deals with cases and prosecutions in a swift and effective manner.”