11% rise in sexual crimes convictions

Convictions for sexual crimes rose 11% over a year despite falling for almost all other types of offence, according to official statistics.

There were 866 convictions for sexual crimes in the year 2012/13, an increase from 783 in 2011/12.

Rape and attempted rape convictions increased by 57% over the same period, from 49 to 77. Convictions for sexual assault rose by 37%, from 150 to 206, and other sexual crimes were up 15% from 384 to 441.

Statisticians link the higher number of sexual offence convictions to a widening of the definition of rape that came into force in December 2010.

Crimes of violence decreased 13% over the same period, with the exception of homicides, where the figure of 113 was 2% higher.

The number of people convicted under the age of 21 fell by 21%, from 15,082 to 11,966 in the year to 2012/13, while overall convictions fell 7%.

The figure for those subject to proceedings in Scottish courts also fell by 7% to 116,623, the largest annual fall in the last decade.

Convictions resulting in a custodial sentence fell by 7% to 14,758 while community sentences increased by 2% to 17,254.

The number of sentences of six months or less also dropped by 8% to 9,804.