The McBane of McBane weeps in his grave, and the fallen of Culloden Moor are dishonored...from The Scotsman:
ANYONE caught carrying a knife in town and city centres in Scotland in the coming weeks faces a potential four years in prison, under a new crackdown announced today.
The six-week pilot scheme will see cases automatically prosecuted as more serious offences, increasing the length of jail terms available to sheriffs from one year to four.
The move follows a similar strengthening of prosecution policy in July covering anyone found with a knife on licensed premises or public transport and in incidents linked to local gangs.
Prosecutors say anyone caught as part of the latest crackdown will be arrested and brought before a sheriff and jury.
Scotland’s top law officer, Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland, QC, said the pilot would involve a zero-tolerance approach to the problem. He said: “The public will wish to enjoy the festive period in our towns and cities without fear. The zero-tolerance crackdown should help to deter anyone stupid enough to think about carrying a knife.
“If the threat of severe penalties for breaking the law deters knife carrying and prevents one act of violence it will have been a success.”
No new legislation is planned by the Scottish Government on knife crime, according to a spokesman, but ministers will work to use existing laws more effectively.
Scots accused of possession of a knife in a public place in town and city centres during the pilot will see their cases automatically go through “solemn”, not summary, procedure, increasing sentencing powers.
Victims groups and the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit welcomed the new approach to knife crime but shadow community safety minister James Kelly MSP said the Scottish Government needed to go further.
He said: “The Crown Office’s tough new stance on knife crime is a step in the right direction, but with knife crime taking its toll on Scotland 365 days a year, the crackdown should be all year round, not just for Christmas.
“The message needs to be sent loud and clear that it is never, ever, acceptable to carry a knife on the streets of Scotland.”
17 comments:
Why don't they go "all in" and cut off everyones hands and feet. I bet that would put a dent in crime.
The cry of the coward:
"It's for the children!"
I guess if WIlliam Wallace or Robert the Bruce were around today they'd get life in prison with the blades they carried.
Rob Drummond
Hillsboro, NH
IMHO, Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland, QC should be hung from the nearest tree, followed by anyone involved in any way in this abuse.
Sic semper tyrannis.
When rocks are outlawed, only outlaws will have rocks.
So are there are no steaks in Scotland? Is there no meat consumed in a public place that may require cutting? If there is any restaurant or other public place that has any type of knife on the dining table wouldn't the patrons then be in violation? I guess once they get rid of the knives then they will complain about fork crimes. How long will it be till legislation reverses evolution to the point where those folks can only consume raw plant products...
Scratch another country that I won't ever visit - Hear me Ministry of Scottish tourism?
Well, this should work... until the yobbos start carrying pointy sticks, then those will have to be outlawed too.
All sticks for that matter.
And trees.
Awesome! Now I know where to market my new line of Tactical Pens........
Knife attacks on the street in Scotland are rampant. No guns, but plenty of knives. They blossomed during a period of zero regulation. So now you complain about a reaction? Oh I get it, everyone should take classes every year and Ruger will have a knife line out that you "gotta get".
Sounds like the Scots will have to borrow the Shillelagh from the the Irish. Unless, of course, the all wise Scots guvmint bans walking sticks.
Must be a lowlander or a Campbell making the rules. No self respecting Highlander would be caught without his sgian dubh
Isn't already true that it is against the law to assault, do harm or kill someone in Scotland? Are more laws really going to stop criminals? Or do these laws really just guarantee a safe working environment for the criminals?
Bruce Clan member here and this a load of horse-@!#$%. Fact is though, I may be able to carry a Glock concealed in my state, but a sgian dubh would be considered a "dagger" and is therefore illegal.
My ancestors, who skewered the traitorous Campbells on their Claymores like so many martini olives, have got to be spinning in their graves.
Does this mean I have to leave my Skeen Du at home? (sp?)
There is another regular crime in Britain known as "glassing", where people are slashed with broken glass, usually bottles (just like in the old Westerns).
So the next level will be if you accidentally knock your glass or bottle off the table at the pub, and it breaks, you'll be sent to prison for "attempted glassing."
Or have all restaurants and pubs already gone to plastic drinkware?
These ninnies wear panties under their kilts. Just hope my forebearers in clan McKay are hanging free and bear no responsibility for this nonsense.
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