'A slap in the face!' Humza Yousaf accused of betraying victims as 1,400 criminals walk free
SNP Yousaf speech 171023
Humza Yousaf has been accused of betraying victims, after it was revealed that more than 1,4000 convicted criminals received no punishment over a four-year period.
The lack of convictions have been blamed on Scotland's lenient justice system.
The new figures, revealed by a Freedom of Information request submitted by the Scottish Conservatives, show that a worrying total of 1,406 people walked away with no punishment from 2018 to 2022.
This number includes 17 found guilty of serious assault and attempted murder, and 12 who were convicted of serious assault.
Humza Yousaf has been accused of betraying victims
PA
Four people found guity of domestic abuse, and four people guilty of breaking into homes also walked free.
While seven people convicted of fraud and six drug dealers were also handed no punishment.
Russell Findlay, the Scottish Conservatives’ justice spokesman, said the figures are "another slap in the face" for victims.
He said: "Victims have been told that absolute discharges are supposed to be exceptional, yet we now discover that they've been used hundreds of times each year.
"This revelation is yet another slap in the face of those who fall victim to crime.
"The SNP's weak justice agenda means that an ever-growing number of criminals are not even prosecuted and for those who are, there's often no punishment.
“This is especially perverse when it is applied to heinous crimes such as sexual assault and attempted murder.”
He added: "The relentless weakening of Scotland's justice system damages public confidence and sends out the wrong message to those who inflict pain and misery in our communities.
“The Scottish Conservatives are committed to redressing the balance by ensuring that victims are at the heart of our justice system."
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Decisions in any case are for the independent court who consider all the facts and circumstances.
"The Scottish Government cannot comment on individual decisions.
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"Absolute discharge is a long-standing available option for independent courts, with use of this sentence between 2018-19 and 2021-22 representing 0.5 per cent of all sentences imposed.
"In any case where it is considered an unduly lenient sentence has been imposed, the independent Crown Office can appeal against the sentence as part of the checks and balances within the criminal justice system."