Scottish Government considers closing loopholes on name changes for sex offenders

Justice Secretary Angela Constance is considering closing loopholes which allow sex offenders to legally change names. The SNP politician said the Scottish Government may give Westminster permission to pass the legislation on the devolved issue. Planned UK Government changes to the Criminal Justice Bill include restricting registered sex offenders from changing their names in “certain circumstances”.

Stats show 392 people on the sex offenders register in Scotland had notified police of a name change between April 2022 and October last year. The Justice Secretary said the figures referred to instances where details of a registered name had changed, including a new email address or a gym card bearing a name. “Therefore the actual number of individuals under a new name is lower than the reported figures,” she said. She added: “Recent reports have raised concerns about that ability of sex offenders to change their name, whatever the numbers may be. “This loophole in the legal system allows dangerous criminals to hide in plain sight, and we know of instances where it has allowed dangerous sex offenders to change their name and subsequently target new victims, who have no way of knowing their new identity.” Constance said the Government is considering whether to back a procedure allowing UK law changes to apply north of the border. Scottish politics She said: “I am very actively and seriously considering the UK proposals for legislative change in this are

Source: Law Daily Report (lawdailyreport.net)

Justice Secretary Angela Constance Sex Offenders Name Changes Legislation Criminal Justice Bill Loopholes Scottish Government UK Government Scotland Registered Sex Offenders Dangerous Criminals Victims Identity Legislative Change

United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

MSPs to vote on Scottish government budgetProposals include new tax bands for higher earners and a ''fully funded' council tax freeze.
Source: BBCNews - 🏆 3. / 97 Read more »

Housing needs Budget windfall as Scottish Government found wantingRecord View says housing is a human right - and Scotland has the space and wealth to ensure no one goes without a roof over their heads.
Source: Daily_Record - 🏆 9. / 89 Read more »

Scottish Government spent £1.6m on reducing food waste campaign but its risingFood waste has risen by five per cent since 2013 despite a Holyrood target to slash it by 33 per cent by 2025.
Source: Daily_Record - 🏆 9. / 89 Read more »

Advisor at taxpayer funded children's charity paid £700 a day by Scottish GovernmentThe appointed adviser of a taxpayer funded charity which helps children in care is being paid £700 a day by the Scottish Government. Fiona Duncan also earns around £20,000 for working one day a week at another government funded charity.
Source: Glasgow_Live - 🏆 4. / 97 Read more »

Jason Leitch steps down as Scottish Government's national clinical directorThe former dentist was a key figure in the Scottish Government's response to the pandemic, but came under fire following UK Covid-19 Inquiry hearings in January this year.
Source: Glasgow_Live - 🏆 4. / 97 Read more »

Scottish Government Quango Withdraws Support for Hardcore Sex ProjectCreative Scotland withdraws support for a project involving non-simulated sex scenes and aims to recover the public funds awarded. The project, called Rein, received over £80,000 in funding and faced widespread criticism. Actors were paid £270 per day to participate in the 45-minute art installation, which included hardcore acts. Creative Scotland launched an investigation after the project's details were revealed and decided to withdraw support.
Source: Daily_Record - 🏆 9. / 89 Read more »