Two thirds of murder accused on drugs at time of attacks

TWO thirds of alleged killers in the Lothians were high on drugs at the time of the attack, it was revealed today.

Figures have shown in the last year, 66 per cent of people accused of murder or culpable homicide were either on drugs, or a cocktail of drugs mixed with alcohol last year – far more than the national average of around a fifth.

Politicians said it was yet another example of the link between substance abuse and violence, although Holyrood said a number of "bold" proposals should begin to turn the tide.

Lothians MSP Gavin Brown, whose parliamentary question prompted the release of the statistics, said: "The figures show that in the Lothians in two thirds of all homicide cases the person accused was either under the influence of drugs or both alcohol and drugs.

"It presents a stark and grim picture indeed.

"The link between drugs and homicide in the Lothians is three times higher than for Scotland as a whole."

In the Lothians, only four per cent of those accused were solely drunk, while the condition of 29 per cent of accused was not known.

The figures also show a rise in homicide accused in the Lothian and Borders police area since the turn of the millennium, although those figures haven't increased notably since the end of 2002, with 24 last year.

Scotland-wide the figures differ significantly. Only 23 per cent were under the influence or drugs, while 13 per cent were unaffected by substances. A total of 42 per cent of cases were deemed to be "unknown", with pure drunkenness accounting for 22 per cent.

There have been a number of high profile court cases over the years where drug abuse has been at the root of the attack.

One of the most emotive cases saw 68-year-old Michael Holleran brutally murdered by drug addict Frank Angus at a block of flats in Wester Hailes in 2007. Police later found Angus, 33, asleep at home with a syringe in his arm.

Today Holyrood said action was being taken on the issue.

Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "The links between violence and alcohol and drugs are well known. These figures show exactly why we need to tackle Scotland's drink problem, culture of violence and problem drug use.

"We've announced bold proposals including minimum pricing, a ban on irresponsible promotions and a social responsibility fee to help tackle the culture of alcohol misuse that's fuelling violence in Scotland.

"The Road to Recovery – our national drugs strategy – sets out the action needed to prevent young people taking drugs in the first place, to safeguard children affected by parental substance misuse, to tackle the criminal gangs seeking to peddle drugs and despair in our communities, and to provide improved access to treatment."


TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Fauldhouse man Donald Stone killed a drug dealer after getting "wasted" on a cancer victim's medication.

The 24-year-old killed Ian Thomson at his home in the area and was sentenced to ten years in jail in December.

He also tied the victim up, subjected him to a prolonged attack, and stole his heroin.

• Bodybuilder Craig Bathgate was 45 when he plunged a knife into his victim while high on steroids and amphetamine.

Victim Michael Gardner was said to have fled from flats in Sighthill with blood gushing from his body before dying.

Bathgate was sentenced to life in prison in October last year.

• In 2007 pensioner Michael Holleran had his throat slashed by addict Frank Angus, who is now serving a life sentence.

Mr Holleran's family were so concerned prior to the murder that the locks on his house were changed, but that didn't stop Angus, 33, bursting in and killing the disabled man, who lived alone.

He had robbed Mr Holleran of jewellery and cash to fund his heroin addiction.