The head of Victim Support Scotland yesterday backed moves to send fewer criminals to prison and divert more offenders from the courts.

The head of Victim Support Scotland yesterday backed moves to send fewer criminals to prison and divert more offenders from the courts.

David McKenna, chief executive of the national organisation spoke out in favour of non-custodial sentences which provide reparation to the community and the recent controversial moves to use fiscal fines rather than sending low level offenders to court.

The recent summary justice reforms, which include police officers giving out on-the-spot fines and a greater number of cases being diverted from court to be given fines directly by procurators-fiscal, have proven controversial after it was revealed that a number of more serious cases were diverted, including one of domestic violence.

However, recent figures released from the Crown Office reveal the reforms have saved a number of witnesses from having to give evidence unnecessarily. In July the reforms avoided the need to cite 2000 witnesses, 1000 of whom were police officers.

Speaking at the annual conference of the organisation, Mr McKenna made it clear he backed the court reforms as a speedier, less stressful process for victims.

He said: "How could it be that so many victims found themselves hostage to a system that went on forever. The reform of summary justice works for victims. Cases are disposed of more speedily - better for victims, offenders and communities ... and a lot less worry and stress for the victim."