Sweeping powers to make criminals compensate their victims could see killers forced to pay for their victims' funerals, it was announced yesterday.

Sweeping powers to make criminals compensate their victims could see killers forced to pay for their victims' funerals, it was announced yesterday.

The move is one of several measures intended to support victims of crime, said Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill.

Speaking at a conference in Glasgow on European Victims' Day, the minister said the provision could apply to any unlawful death - ranging from the victims of murderers to those killed by drunk or speeding drivers.

It would mean that, for the first time, courts could order an offender to compensate relatives for bereavement and funeral expenses.

Other measures include providing more support for vulnerable witnesses during all criminal proceedings, not just criminal trials.

Courts are to be given greater flexibility to award compensation, and it is to be made easier for prosecutors to obtain "non-harassment" orders against offenders, protecting victims from repeat offending.

The measures will be included in the Criminal Justice and Licensing Bill, Mr MacAskill told a Victim Support conference in Glasgow.

"We aim to give criminal courts more flexibility to award compensation against an offender, and update the remit of compensation orders so they can reflect changes in the means of the offender, and be used to pay funeral and bereavement expenses to the relatives of a deceased victim," he told the conference.

The new provisions will include putting anonymity orders for witnesses on a statutory footing. Compensation awards to victims could be modified if the offender suddenly acquires more money like a legacy or lottery win.

Mr MacAskill said: "Our Criminal Justice and Licensing Bill will propose the creation of new offences to deter criminals, bring forward measures to help tackle fraud and include provisions that aim to protect the public.

"We aim to give criminal courts more flexibility to award compensation against an offender, and update the remit of compensation orders so they can reflect changes in the means of the offender, and be used to pay funeral and bereavement expenses to the relatives of a deceased victim."

He added: "Separately, the ability of criminal courts to grant anonymity to witnesses will be put on a statutory basis through provisions in the bill.

"The intention will be to protect the safety of the witness or serious damage to property, and prevent harm to the public interest."

The Vulnerable Witnesses Act will also be extended so that special measures will be available to help child and adult vulnerable witnesses in criminal proceedings.

David McKenna, chief executive of Victim Support Scotland, welcomed the proposed contents of the bill.

He said: "The proposed reforms demonstrate the value of working in partnership with government and all the other agencies within the criminal justice field in Scotland to deliver a better service and greater protection for the victims and witnesses of crime."

Mr MacAskill commended the work of Victim Support Scotland, saying: "With 900 volunteers, Victim Support Scotland is an example of community-based support where ordinary people work with others across the justice system and beyond to provide valuable support for individual victims and those close to them."