Man, 21, avoids prosecution over Inverleith Park crossbow ‘disturbance’

A 21-year-old man who was initially charged over an incident involving a crossbow in Inverleith Park has avoided prosecution.
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Police were called to the park following reports of what they described as a “disturbance” involving the weapon on the evening of April 14. A man was subsequently charged and a report sent to the procurator fiscal. A crossbow was recovered at the park.

But on Tuesday a Crown Office spokesperson said: “The procurator fiscal received a report concerning a 21-year-old male, in connection with an alleged incident on 14 April 2021.

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"After full and careful consideration of all facts and circumstances, the case was dealt with by way of an offer of an alternative to prosecution."

Inverleith Park. Pic: Ian GeorgesonInverleith Park. Pic: Ian Georgeson
Inverleith Park. Pic: Ian Georgeson

The Crown Office refused to explain why no prosecution was made.

But the procurator fiscal will take into account all relevant facts and circumstances in a case and decide what is the most appropriate action to take, including a wide range of alternatives to prosecution known as ‘direct measures.’

Direct measures include warnings, social work diversion and other diversion schemes, fiscal fines of up to £500, compensation orders of up to £5,000 and work orders of up to 50 hours.

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Details of what direct measures were issued in this case were not provided.

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