Donald Gorrie wants to see prosecutions

The call has been made by Central Scotland MSP Donald Gorrie.

Mr Gorrie said he was "amazed and disturbed" to find that not one licensee had been prosecuted in the last year for serving drink to people already intoxicated.

It comes just days after Strathclyde Chief Constable William Rae linked a rise in violent crime to a culture of binge drinking.

A lot of our street and domestic violence is caused by people who were already badly drunk when they were being served more alcohol Donald Gorrie

The findings of the Nicholson Committee - set up to review Scotland's licensing laws - are expected to be published, along with the executive's response, in matter of weeks.

Mr Gorrie said: "There is little point in passing new laws to get tough with crime, violence and drunkenness, if we do not make full use of this existing law.

"A lot of our street and domestic violence is caused by people who were already badly drunk when they were being served more alcohol.

"Sometimes it may be hard to decide if the drinker is drunk or not, but for a start the police could concentrate on a few very obvious cases, where the person is definitely drunk.

Violent crime

"These cases could be brought to the procurator fiscal, who should prosecute the offending landlord."

The Lib Dem communities spokesman is seeking the support of MSPs from all parties for a Holyrood motion noting parliament's "concern" over the issue.

The MSP has also tabled a further parliamentary question, asking for the number of licenses not renewed on police advice.

"Some well-publicised prosecutions and removal of licences by licensing boards from persistent offenders would make licensees as a whole act in a more responsible way and thus contribute to reducing street violence," Mr Gorrie added.

There are occasions when someone appears to be okay until the effects of alcohol appear suddenly Paul Waterson, Scottish Licensed Trade Association

Campaigners have also voiced their "concern" that of 905 licensing offences recorded last year none of these were for drunkenness.

Mary Ellmers, from Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: "There continues to be tragic incidents and deaths every year as a result of too much alcohol being served."

Paul Waterson Scottish Licensed Trade Association chief executive also acknowledged the problem, but added that the last in a series of licensees might unwittingly supply the decisive drink.

"While it's often easy to spot somebody who is drunk, there are other occasions when someone appears to be okay until the effects of alcohol appear suddenly," Mr Waterson said.

An executive spokesman said Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson had made it clear that the Nicholson Committee is one of the things she is looking at as a priority issue.