Criminal releases safety pledge

James Campbell admitted attempted rape

The Scottish Executive has moved to reassure the public over violent criminals and sex offenders freed on the controversial early release scheme.

It follows the case of convicted sex attacker James Campbell who last week admitted attempting to rape a baby.

Scottish Parole Board figures show that 15 of 58 extended licences were referred back to the board last year, nine of which remain in custody.

An executive spokeswoman insisted that licences did not mean an early release.

'Safety paramount'

She said: "The public is always concerned about the long-term management of offenders who have committed serious violent and sexual crimes.

"For their serious crimes, the public rightly expect that to mean serious time in jail.

"However, when the punishment part of their sentence has been completed and they are released back into the community under statutory supervision we need to do more to reassure the public that their safety is of paramount concern to the criminal justice services."

Campbell had been released on licence after being imprisoned for breaking into an elderly women's house with intent to rape.

He had then broken into a two-year-old girl's home in Coatbridge and took her from her bed and attempted to rape her in July.

Conservative MSPs are calling for an end to early release, saying it puts the public at risk, and the Scottish National Party has said there should be a different criteria for sex offenders.