Dumfries gets a new Procurator Fiscal as Andrew Richardson is appointed to the position, reports the Crown Office :
Crown Office Release :
LORD ADVOCATE APPOINTS NEW PROCURATOR FISCAL FOR DUMFRIES
CROWN OFFICE AND PROCURATOR FISCAL SERVICE
PRESS RELEASE
22 April 2009
The Lord Advocate, the Right Honourable Elish Angiolini QC, today announced the appointment of Andrew Richardson as District Procurator Fiscal for Dumfries.
Mr Richardson, who most recently worked as a Principal Procurator Fiscal Depute at Hamilton, will now act as the personal representative of the Lord Advocate in the Dumfries and Kirkcudbright Sheriff Court Districts on a day to day basis. He will have responsibility for the investigation and prosecution of crime and the investigation of sudden, suspicious and unexplained deaths.
Announcing the appointment, the Lord Advocate said:
"With over twelve years in the Procurator Fiscal Service, Andrew Richardson's experience is impressive both in its breadth and variety. He has a track record of delivering services which are firmly focussed on the needs of our local communities and I have every confidence that he will apply the same professional drive and focus to his new role. I know that Andrew intends to spend his first few weeks meeting agencies across the criminal justice system in order to build on the already effective working relationships which exist here and listening to local communities about the issues affecting them.
"Mr Richardson has considerable experience of dealing with crime that impacts directly on communities in various Fiscal Offices throughout Scotland. In addition his past work included drafting our national guidelines on the investigation of paedophile computer crime and leading the investigation of Scotland's first Al-Qaeda Terrorist case.
"This experience will enable him to bring many strengths to his new role in Dumfries and Kirkcudbright, which, with its newly refurbished Procurator Fiscal office, already provides an excellent service to the local communities. Indeed, it is a key contributor to the innovation and change which is being delivered throughout the prosecution service in Scotland."
Mr Richardson said:
"I am looking forward to leading the Procurator Fiscal Service in Dumfries and Kirkcudbright and building on the excellent work of my predecessor and the team here. By working with other local criminal justice agencies, we will focus on tackling anti-social behaviour and disorder at a grass roots level. In doing so, we will make sure that the perpetrators of crime will be dealt with swiftly, efficiently and effectively in a manner which prioritises the interests of victims of crime and helps make our local communities better places in which to live."
The appointment of Andrew Richardson follows that of Ruth McQuaid as Area Procurator Fiscal for Dumfries and Galloway earlier this month.
Welcoming Andrew in his new role, Ms McQuaid said:
"Andrew and I have previously worked together for four years in Stirling and I am looking forward to building on our working relationship to deliver a local prosecution service which is second to none. "
Ends
Notes to editors:
1. Andrew Richardson was born on 31/1/70 in Glasgow. He obtained a Degree in Computer Science with Law followed by an LLB and Diploma in Legal Practice, all at Strathclyde University, graduating in 1991. He joined COPFS in 1996 and worked in a variety of offices throughout the country before moving to the Hamilton office in 2007 where he was appointed as a Principal Procurator Fiscal Depute in the High Court Unit.
2. During his time with the Crown Office he has worked on a variety of projects and groups which include:
o Drafting of national guidelines on the investigation of paedophiles use of computers in connection with Operation Ore (2002).
o Acting as a current member of the COPFS Hi-Tech Evidence Working Group and National Contact Point for Cybercrime.
o Acting as the COPFS representative on the Ministerial Working Group on Religious Hatred (2002-2003).
o Leading the prosecution investigation of Scotland's first Al-Qaeda Terrorist case - Operation Niche (2006-7).
* Andrew Richardson takes up post as District Procurator Fiscal for Dumfries on 20 April 2009, replacing Sineidin Corrins, who has moved to Glasgow
* Ruth McQuaid was appointed Area Procurator Fiscal for Dumfries and Galloway on 30 March. She replaced Tom Dysart, who moved to Area Procurator Fiscal for Tayside.
* The Dumfries Office covers the Sheriff Court jurisdictions of Dumfries and Kirkcudbright.
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