MSP Patrick Green has lodged a member's Bill in the Scottish Parliament so that those who physically assault gays will receive a harsher sentence than if they had attacked a heterosexual.
MSP Patrick Green has lodged a member's Bill in the Scottish Parliament so that those who physically assault gays will receive a harsher sentence than if they had attacked a heterosexual.
It is called an "aggravated hate crime". I have no trouble with this, but I can just imagine the scene in a Glasgow pub when there is a disagreement.
"Excuse me Jimmy, before I hit you, are you gay? If you are, I may have to reconsider."
What about a gay man or woman assaulting a heterosexual? Will that be an aggravated hate crime?
Why should we have a two-tier justice system where a thug who assaults an elderly woman gets community service but the thug who hits an Asian gets jailed?
Whatever happened to equality under the law? This is discrimination, which I thought was illegal.
CLARK CROSS Linlithgow
Keep lotto cash here
It is disappointing to see that Glasgow's Labour MPs have voted to divert yet more Lottery money away from good causes in Scotland to the London Olympic Games.
At a time when Scottish sport needs as much support as possible in preparing for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, it is shocking our city's MPs should instead see fit to pour money into a black hole in the East End of London.
Can we really believe that if the Olympics continues to fall short of cash, Scottish tax payers and lottery players will not once again be asked to stump up?
PATRICK GRADY SNP Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Glasgow North
Spaces are a must
With reference to Gordon Robertson's letter (Evening Times, January 15) I would never dream of parking in a disabled space. However, I don't think Mr Robertson has quite grasped the point of parent and child spaces.
Parent and child spaces are generally slightly bigger. This is to allow room to open the car door wider to allow access to children in car seats without damaging other cars, or to place a pram by the car, reducing the need to place it on the actual driving surface of the road. These spaces are not to get you nearer the store!
Mr Robertson should also remember not all parents are young, fit and in the prime of life. I'm nearing 40 and I don't think of myself as old, but neither will you find me sprinting down the aisles!
CAROL VAUGHAN Glasgow
Torchlit triumph
WHAT a spectacular sight to see the torchlit procession to start off the Celtic Connections festival.
I went along to Buchanan Street and got some great photographs. Just what is needed to brighten up the January gloom!
R WILSON Glasgow
Tunnel is in tune
I HAD to check it wasn't April Fool's Day when I saw your story about the Clyde Tunnel being shut to host a music concert (Evening Times, January 17). The idea is so loopy I almost like it.
JOANNE SCOTT Busby
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HOT TOPIC: Police shouldn't cop flak for crime
GLASGOW'S police do a great job and are short- handed.
I hope the crime rates keep coming down. All cities in the world have these problems and where there is poverty there will be crimes committed.
ROBERT McKENNA, Germany
Force victory' pathetic,/h4> "Old wounds start to heal?" What rubbish. The reason for variation in crime figures is not down to the police, nor any other influence but criminals' own priorities.
This is just natural variation in the figures, hailed as a victory by the police. Pathetic.
GAW, Glasgow
Surprise at rape figures
I'M surprised sex crimes are said to be down. There seems to be a rape in Glasgow city centre every weekend. Wasn't there talk of shutting off lanes in the city centre as it was getting so bad?
W ARNOLD, Glasgow
Rise in gang rapes scary
I agree with the last comment. Every week you read in the papers about at least one rape or attempted rape.
Also, the increase in gang rapes in the West End is very scary. It's not something you used to hear about very often.
ARWEN, Glasgow
House wrong man for job
SEX crimes aren't down. Look at the figures for the West End. When the Evening Times reported on Steve House becoming the chief constable I said he was the wrong man for the job and I stand by this.
The only reason I see him using these figures is to possibly use it for a future performance-related scheme for officers.
That would be a nightmare for the force and the west of Scotland.
House is deluded if he thinks he will be able to cut violent crime in Glasgow when others have tried and failed.
The best that he can do is to make the police presence more visible.
MEEP, Shawlands
Missing the true picture
IT'S more than likely fewer people are reporting crimes such as assault.
We are only being given half the tale, which makes it look as if crime is down.
