Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay today urged John Swinney to stop secretive plea deals which leave victims of crime in the dark.
At First Minister’s Questions, Findlay said victims are not told or consulted about deals which often result in serious criminal charges being watered down or dropped altogether.
He also called for the scrapping of sentencing guidelines that allow under-25s to avoid prison and raised miscarriages of justice including the cases of Keith Rollinson, George Beattie and Baby J.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “In criminal cases, prosecutors often strike plea deals with defence lawyers.
“This practice can result in very serious charges being watered down or dropped altogether, even where the evidence is overwhelming. Victims are routinely not told or consulted. John Swinney should work with me to stop these secretive plea deals, which don’t deliver justice for victims.
“RAF veteran Keith Rollinson went out to work as a bus driver but never came home. He was subjected to a ‘frenzied attack’ by a 15-year-old passenger and died later in hospital.
“The killer was charged with murder but, in a plea deal, admitted a lesser charge of culpable homicide. Due to the under-25 sentencing guidelines, he received a sentence of just over four years and it’s possible that he won’t spend any time in prison. These guidelines are not fit for purpose and should be scrapped.
“There is no doubt in my mind that George Beattie did not and could not have murdered Margaret McLaughlin. It is one of Scotland’s greatest miscarriages of justice. Campaigners including the late Labour MP Jimmy Hood have spent 51 years fighting for justice on behalf of George and Margaret.
“Four years ago, new evidence emerged about a more likely suspect, but the authorities appeared to do nothing. George tells me that he fears going to his grave as a murderer.
“John Swinney must consider what his government can do to right this egregious wrong.
“Baby J was found dead in West Lothian 10 years ago. He was just 11 weeks old. The authorities knew he was at risk even before he was born – but that did not protect him. His tiny body had numerous injuries including multiple broken bones.
“A judge said that only his parents could have inflicted these injuries. But no criminal charges have ever been brought. The First Minister must back my calls for an inquiry and ensure that every effort is made to secure justice for Baby J.”