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Solicitor Advocate QC appointed Specialist Crown Counsel
A solicitor advocate has been appointed as a specialist Crown Counsel to help with the prosecution of wildlife crime. Alex Prentice QC, Assistant Principal Advocate Depute, will provide support and legal advice to specialist Procurators Fiscal, and deal with any criminal appeals.
Alex Prentice qualified as a solicitor in 1983 and as a Solicitor Advocate in 1994. He is a highly experienced criminal lawyer who practised as a defence solicitor for 21 years. In 2004 he became the first Solicitor Advocate from outwith the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to be appointed as an Advocate Depute. He was appointed as a Senior Advocate Depute in 2006 and took silk in 2007.
The appointment of a specialist Crown Counsel builds on work already undertaken by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to tackle wildlife crime more effectively. This includes 18 specialist wildlife crime prosecutors already based in offices around Scotland.
"Wildlife crime is an often complex and challenging area of law. Among the most common types of offences are deer and salmon poaching, badger baiting, the poisoning of birds of prey and illegal traps and snares," explained Mr Prentice.
"I look forward to working with the specialist COPFS prosecutors around Scotland to help ensure those who commit crimes against wildlife are brought to justice," he said.
