Legal news from the Scottish press

170 police officers 'have criminal record'  -The Scotsman
AT LEAST 170 serving police officers in Scotland have criminal records and many of them picked up their convictions while on duty, figures reveal. It also emerged that half the police forces that gave information had not sacked a single officer with a criminal conviction.

Complaints against police force up 40% - The Scotsman
THE number of complaints against officers in one of Scotland's largest police forces soared by almost 40 per cent in the last quarter of 2008, it was revealed yesterday.  The complaints included 14 allegations of assault, nine of using excessive force, 62 accusations of "incivility", 47 of neglect of duty, and 35 of oppressive conduct or harassment.

Cops in fingertip search of dump in hunt for murder weapon - Daily Record
THIRTY cops carried out a fingertip search of a rubbish dump yesterday as they hunted for the gun used to kill drug runner Martyn Barclay. A specialist team cordoned off the tip, which is a few hundred yards from where the 26-year-old was shot in the head.

Convicts' £50m 'human rights' pay-out facing the axe - The Scotsman
THE UK government has signalled it is prepared to do a U-turn and agree a deal with Scottish ministers to save taxpayers from paying £50 million in compensation to criminals

Backing For Victim Locked In Cells - Daily Record
A RAPE victim turned campaigner has condemned a judge who locked up a woman who broke down during a trial. Jane Dearie, a victim of rapist cop Adam Carruthers, hit out at sheriff Roger Craik QC, who was sitting as a judge in the High Court when he decided to punish Ann Robertson, 43.