Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service

January News Update

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is Scotland's public prosecution authority. In addition to prosecuting crimes in District, Sheriff and High Courts, the department is also involved in enquiries into sudden and suspicious deaths. On a day-to-day basis staff are also involved with local criminal justice partners working in their communities.

Below is a sample of the type of cases and events we have been involved in during January:

Annual Review

* The
COPFS Annual Review 2004-2005 and annual accounts were published. These show that the department has continued to improve performance against key targets and we are committed to further improvement.

Reckless Conduct

* Fife driver Ronald Klos was convicted of culpable and reckless conduct by driving at 156mph while holding a mobile phone to his ear following our appeal against his acquittal. Mr Klos returned to
Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court where he was fined £3000 and banned from driving for a year.

Crime Doesn't Pay

* We brought two cases before the courts under Proceeds of Crime legislation, hitting the pockets of two people who'd profited from drugs, with £73,000 seized in Central Scotland.

Stranraer Fiscal

* The new District Procurator Fiscal for Stranraer took up post.
Kenneth Grieve has local responsibility for the investigation and prosecution of crime and the investigation of sudden, suspicious and unexplained deaths in Stranraer.

Lothian Fiscals

* Frank Mulholland QC was appointed as the new Area Procurator Fiscal for Lothian and Borders. The new District Procurator Fiscal for Edinburgh and Haddington, Lesley Thomson, also took up post.