Alcohol Fuels Surge In Violence Across Scotland

The conviction of two men over the murder of Robert Gardner comes as Scotland continues its battle with rising rates of alcohol-fuelled violence.

Earlier this year, police forces across the country linked an increase in violent crime with binge-drinking.

In 2006-7 there were almost 14,000 violent crimes – up 2.4 per cent on the previous year.

Doctors are also reporting a steady increase in the number of assault victims attending A&E where alcohol abuse is linked to their injuries.

Alcohol-related violence is thought to be responsible for nearly 30,000 admissions to Scottish hospitals each year.

The link between alcohol and violence is also evident in Scotland’s courtrooms.

In May, two young men were jailed for a minimum of 16 years for stabbing to death a complete stranger.

Derek Morgan, 21, and Lloyd Patterson, 22, armed themselves with knives before a night out in Glenrothes Fife, where they attacked 24-year-old Craig Archer. Alcohol was implicated.

With a seemingly unstoppable toll of death and violence linked to alcohol, police and politicians are desperately searching for solutions.

Kenny MacAskill, Holyrood’s justice secretary, announced a change in the law to ensure that defendants cannot use drunkenness as mitigation in court cases.

The Executive is also considering tougher sentences for those who commit acts of violence while drunk and police are planning a nationwide crackdown on drunken violence.

But the problem is not only confined to Scotland. Last week, the chief constable of Cheshire, Peter Fahy, called for tougher drinking laws following the death of Gary Newlove. The 47-year-old from Warrington was beaten to death outside his house by a group of youths.