Three knife sentence surprisingly lenient

Aug 8 2008

Dear Editor, – The recent Sheriff Court case where a man caught with three knives avoided a custodial disposal highlights yet another case of surprising leniency by the justice system, given both governments' supposed commitment to tackling the blade culture.

To put it in some perspective, the maximum sentence for carrying one knife, never mind three, is four years in prison or an unlimited fine had the case been brought on indictment rather than under summary procedure as was this one.

This will do absolutely nothing to reassure us law-abiding majority that the thug fraternity who are prepared to carry blades face sufficient deterrent.

Perhaps it is time for the legislature to look at minimum sentence tariffs for serious crimes.

Let us not lose sight of the fact that whilst mitigating factors must rightly continue to be taken into account, any plea in mitigation is made after it has been established, by admission or proof, that the crime has been committed, thus the right to a fair trial would remain unaffected, mitigation being the preserve solely of the guilty. The scales of justice must not be allowed to lose their calibration; it is a question of striking the correct balance.

Ron Rose,

Comments received via Perthshire Advertiser website.