A PILOT scheme to create a court to tackle alcohol-related crime in Glasgow has now become a permanent fixture and is set to accept domestic abuse cases.
It was launched at the city's sheriff court to deal with those convicted of violence or dishonesty, public order offences or drink driving.
It was billed as the latest “problem-solving court” to be launched in Scotland and followed the creation of the successful Drug Court at Glasgow, which has been in operation since 2001.
Progress is measured by an offender’s commitment to stop their criminal behaviour and undertake educational and counselling programmes designed to assist them in reducing, or in some cases eliminating, their consumption of alcohol.
An order is regarded a success if the offender controls their consumption of alcohol such that they no longer offend. For many the only way for this to be achieved is by completely eliminating alcohol from their lives.
In the first 12 months, 78 of 128 offenders referred to the court were subject of an Alcohol Court order, together with the rigorous monitoring that accompanies them. Only three of the orders made were revoked for non-compliance.
Now on the first anniversary of the Alcohol Court in Glasgow, it was confirmed it has now become a permanent part of the court programme.
READ MORE: Glasgow's first alcohol court set to open its doors
Previously those convicted of domestic abuse offences have not been admitted to the Alcohol Court.
But recognising the part alcohol can play in domestic abuse, Judiciary of Scotland sources say the court will now consider accepting domestic abuse cases in which the social work department recommend a referral as a disposal.
An alcohol problem court had been operating as a pilot project in Edinburgh since 2016 while problem-solving courts have also been set up in Aberdeen and Forfar.
The court deal with offenders who plead guilty to, or are convicted of, charges involving violence or dishonesty; public order offences; or drink driving offences, in circumstances where the offender accepts, or it appears to the court, that alcohol abuse significantly contributed to the offending.
The initial criteria for admission to the court were that the offender was resident in Glasgow; aged under 35; and had two or more previous convictions for offences involving violence or dishonesty; public order offences; or drink driving.
As the court bedded in, the age limit was relaxed and it now also accepts offenders in their 40s and 50s, where it is felt that they might benefit from the problem solving approach.
Referrals to the court are made by all the sheriffs in Glasgow.
If the sheriff hearing a case forms the view that an offender might be suitable for the Alcohol Court, they will request an Alcohol Court Assessment Report from Glasgow Health & Social Care Partnership’s social work department, and defer sentence to the next suitable hearing date. Then the presiding sheriff will decide if the offender should be admitted to the court.
A Judiciary source said the court aims to deliver sentences which are "tailored to influence an individual’s behaviour and hold them accountable, with progress rigorously monitored by the same sheriff".
The pilot scheme was supported by both the Social Work Department of Glasgow City Council and Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership.
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