Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service News Release
29 June 2009
LORD ADVOCATE APPOINTS NEW OBAN PROCURATOR FISCAL
Craig Harris is the new District Procurator Fiscal for Oban, the Lord Advocate, the Right Honourable Elish Angiolini QC, announced today.
Mr Harris , who most recently worked as a Principal Procurator Fiscal Depute in the Appeals Team at the Crown Office in Edinburgh, will now oversee prosecutions in the Oban Sheriff Court district. He will also have responsibility for the investigation of sudden, suspicious and unexplained deaths.
Mrs Angiolini said:
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Craig Harris as the new District Procurator Fiscal for Oban. Since joining the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service eight years ago, Mr Harris has demonstrated a combination of drive and dedication to the role of prosecutor which will make him a great asset to our team in Oban.
As a specialist prosecutor of Wildlife Crime his expertise in its prevention, investigation and prosecution will provide a powerful and effective challenge to those who commit crimes against wildlife, therefore protecting the rich and diverse natural heritage of the region.
Under his leadership, I am confident that the team will continue to work with criminal justice partners to tackle crime and improve the service that the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service provides to local communities.?
Mr Harris said:
I am delighted to have this opportunity to serve the communities in this spectacular and historic part of Scotland. We have a dedicated team in the Procurator Fiscal's Office in Oban and we will work closely with local enforcement agencies to tackle offenders, whether they engage in anti-social behaviour in our towns and villages, endanger the safety of others on our roads, or seek to diminish our rich environment and wildlife through their criminal behaviour.
As prosecutor acting independently in the public interest, I want to ensure that the prosecution service delivered here is of the highest quality and one which enjoys the confidence of the whole community.
Note to editors:
1. Craig Harris is 31 years old and was born and raised in Falkirk. He graduated from Edinburgh University with an LLB degree in 2000 and joined the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in 2001 as a trainee solicitor.
2. Mr Harris was appointed to the post of Procurator Fiscal Depute in Stirling in 2003 where he was based for three years, and during that time became a specialist prosecutor of Wildlife Crime.
3. Mr Harris joined the Appeals unit at Crown Office in 2006 and was promoted to the post of Principal Procurator Fiscal Depute in August 2008. During his time in the Appeals Unit, he was one of the department?s lead representatives on Disclosure.
4. High profile appeals that Mr Harris has worked on include HMA v Iain Murray and Brian Wilson who were convicted of the 1986 killing of 20-year-old Alison Murray in Drumchapel, (Bluebell Woods murder). He was also involved in HMA v George Beattie who was convicted in 1973 for the murder of Margaret McLaughlin in Carluke.
5. Mr Harris is now one of the youngest District Procurator Fiscals in Scotland.
6. An image of Mr Harris is available on request from Crown Office Communications
Contact: Communications
0844 561 3708
www.copfs.gov.uk