HC Deb 03 December 1993 vol 233 cc767-8W
Mr. Bates

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the wrongful arrest of Lorraine Alison Brown of Marske-by-the-Sea, Cleveland.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

Miss Brown was arrested upon a warrant issued by the sheriff at Kirkcaldy in relation to certain road traffic offences, and escorted by the police from Redcar to Kirkcaldy to answer the charges against her. It was then discovered, however, that her case had already been dealt with. Miss Brown had earlier been fined. The warrant should have been withdrawn on that previous occasion. Miss Brown was accordingly released without any further appearance in court.

The procurator fiscal at Kirkcaldy has written to Miss Brown's solicitors, apologising for the error. He paid all the expenses of her unnecessary appearance, and the Crown Office has accepted that compensation should be paid.