Statistics for perjury charges: FOI release

Information requested

You asked for the following information:

Question 1- How many perjury charges have been brought in Scotland in the last 5 years?
Question 2- How many perjury charges have resulted in a Court trial in the last 5 years?
Question 3- How many perjury charges have resulted in conviction in the last 5 years?
Question 4- What were these sentences if any?

Response

The available information is provided in the following table.

People prosecuted in Scottish courts for perjury and subornation, where main charge, 2015-16 to 2019-20

Financial year	2015-16	2016-17	2017-18	2018-19	2019-20
Total prosecuted	3	-	1	2	2
Total convicted	1	-	1	2	2
Of which received:
Custody	1	-	-	-	1
Community sentence	-	-	-	1	1
Monetary	-	-	-	1	-
Other	-	-	1	-	-

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested.

The Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings database is not a live system and the latest available information is for the financial year 2019-20. Statistics are presented on the number of people dealt with by the Scottish Criminal Justice System where proceedings have concluded, rather than the number of charges.

Information for 2020-21 will not be available until publication of the Criminal Proceedings in Scotland, 2020-21 Statistical Bulletin. This is due to be published later this year. The dates of all Scottish Government Official and National Statistics publications are pre-announced, and the up to date list of future publications can be found at: https://www.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/ForthcomingPubs

We do not hold information on the number of charges reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) by Police Scotland. However, you may wish to contact COPFS at FOI@copfs.gov.uk who may be able to help you.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.