Slap on the wrist...

Richard Munro, 53, has been jailed for five years for withholding evidence from prosecutors while investigating a murder in Fife 17 years ago.

Steven Johnston and Billy Allison were each jailed for ten years and later acquitted.

The criminal justice system depends upon police officers acting with honesty and integrity, judge Lord Doherty said: "The course of conduct you engaged in was a shocking affront to the principles which underly the criminal justice process.

"Your offence was committed in a variety of ways over a considerable period. It was calculated and deceitful."

Strong words from the bench followed by weak actions of a five year custodial sentence.

Municipal bankruptcies

In California: Mammomth Lakes, Stockton and San Bernadino have all recently filed for bankruptcy protection from the pension and salary demands of teachers, police, firemen and nurses.

North Las Vegas has its half million a year Corrections Lieutenant with a fifteen million dollar pension looming at his retirement. Scranton, Pennsylvania just changed all city employees to 7.25 an hour so as to avoid bankruptcy filing.