PRESS RELEASE

February 10th, 2009

Decision time on knives

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil has welcomed a move that could see a mandatory minimum sentence introduced for knife criminals.

An amendment was lodged to the Criminal Justice Bill this week that - if passed later this year - will ensure that anyone found guilty of a carry a knife would get a sentence of at least six months.

Judges could also jail knife criminals up to a four year maximum.

Local knife campaigners John Muir and Kelly McGhee, who both lost close relatives to knives, were at the Scottish Parliament to back the move.

Duncan McNeil, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, said: "We are working hard to ensure that the Parliament listens to the concerns of ordinary people and this amendment means all of the country's MSPs will have to state what side of the argument they are on coming voting time.

"We have supported John through the petition process, giving evidence to committee, the summit in the Parliament and now through this opportunity to use the Criminal Justice Bill to bring about a change in the law that will see tough action taken against people who carry and use knives.

Knife campaigner John Muir said:
"Anyone who disregards moves to toughen the sentencing laws on knife crime will be seen by the public as having victims’ blood on their hands."

ENDS