Tories are calling for courts to take a tougher approach to domestic abuse after figures show that almost one-third of successful prosecutions end with a warning.

Of the 8,869 people convicted in Scotland in 2011-12, 31% were admonished, 30% were handed fines and 12% were given custodial cases.

One-quarter were given community sentences and 1% were given an absolute discharge.

Scottish Conservative chief whip John Lamont said: "The vast majority of those who have committed these crimes are immediately able to carry them out again, and nearly 80% of those who are sent to jail are out within just six months.

"It is no wonder victims are so reluctant to report abuse to police when the figures show most offenders will be given a fine or a warning. These figures show the courts are providing no protection whatsoever to their victims, creating a vicious cycle of abuse that we are doing nothing to stop.

"We need to restore faith in our justice system on this issue and the best way to do this would be to stop putting abusers straight back into the homes of victims."

The Scottish Government said 10,499 people were prosecuted where the main offence had a "domestic abuse aggravator", and that 8,869 were convicted.