Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service

5 June 2009

SOLICITOR GENERAL OPENS NEW ELGIN PROCURATOR FISCAL'S OFFICE

The Solicitor General for Scotland, Frank Mulholland QC, today officially opened the new Procurator Fiscal's office for Elgin at South Street.

The new accommodation is designed to help the Procurator Fiscal work together with local criminal justice agencies and provide access to members of the public to better serve the local community. It is equipped with secure comfortable working conditions, purpose built interview facilities for witnesses and victims and a dedicated secure storage area.

Opening the building, Frank Mulholland said:

"I am delighted to be here officially opening the new premises here at Elgin. Although relatively small, Elgin is a busy office and deals with some very complex and serious high profile cases. Our experienced staff here, under the leadership of the Procurator Fiscal Sharon Ralph, work closely with other local criminal justice agencies to help make this close community a better place in which to live.

"Both police and prosecutors in Elgin realise that our work in tackling crime is about listening to the local community and targeting the problems which most affect the local community. Operation Centaur, which targeted the illegal drugs industry in this area, was a great example of this kind of work.

"For over 10 years a number of individuals involved in organized crime by supplying large quantities of controlled drugs terrorised the community with intimidation and violence. As a result of police and prosecutors working together, the major players were sentenced to a total of 24 years in jail. It is a great achievement and testament to all concerned that these individuals have been removed so that the bonds between friends, families and neighbours can continue to grow strong and the community can continue to thrive."

Area Procurator Fiscal, Anne Currie, said:

"This facility gives the Procurator Fiscal Sharon Ralph and her dedicated team here at Elgin a modern working environment, and will allow them to continue to work together to give the people of the area the safe community that they deserve. With this accommodation the office will be able to work better with all other professionals working in the field of local criminal justice as well as providing better access to members of the public.

The staff here successfully deal with a wide range of cases and the peace of mind of the community we serve is of utmost importance. Tackling anti-social behaviour is a priority and we will continue to target those responsible to ensure that local people feel that they and their families are safe to enjoy living in this wonderful part of the country.

Communications

0844 561 3708

Note to Editors:

1. The District Procurator Fiscal for Elgin is Sharon Ralph who is supported by a team of nine.

2. The Area Procurator Fiscal for Grampian is
Anne Currie

3. The Solicitor General opened the office at 13.45pm. Also present were Crown Agent Norman McFadyen CBE and representatives from the Judiciary and Law Enforcement.

4. Figures for Elgin Office 2008/2009

REPORTS RECEIVED - 3,436 Reports Received

CASES PLACED ON PETITION - 133 Cases

PRECOGNITIONS TO CROWN OFFICE - 13 S&J abbreviated Reports and abbreviated sexual offence precognitions + 15 Section 76 Reports

DEATH REPORTS - 159 Death Reports received

DIRECT MEASURES - 616 SJR Fiscal Fines issued

HIGH COURT DISPOSALS - 10 cases - 4 trials

SH/J DISPOSALS - 58 cases - 9 trials

SHERIFF COURT DISPOSALS - 1,442 cases - 91 trials

DISTRICT COURT DISPOSALS - 394 cases - 9 trials

5. Operation Centaur: Following a 12 month long intelligence operation led by Grampian police, a number of those involved in the illegal drugs trade in the area were apprehended and brought to justice. In total the group were given 24 years imprisonment, £81,015 in cash was seized and 8.5 kilos of controlled drugs with a combined street value of £216,485 were recovered.