http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-s ... s-26596145

Didn't even know that existed, dunno what to think about it

I only think that they have a single MP with a Westminster seat. Probably held in a telephone box.

I can see both sides of this one.
On the one hand, having to have 2 witnesses should increase the chances of a successful prosecution.
On the other, cases which, by their nature come down to one persons word against another are very difficult to prosecute.

When I first heard about this it seemed to be primarily a cost cutting (or saving) measure for Police Scotland - Scottish police generally have to patrol in pairs so they automatically have 2 witnesses. Removing that requirement automatically lets you either increase the number of places the police can be simultaneously or lets you maintain cover with fewer coppers.

There are positives and negatives for both ways of doing things and it's surely not beyond the whit of the legal establishment to come up with a system that preserves the good bits of the current system but allows modernisation in cases where it's a genuine impediment to justice. Sadly the politicians have got their grubby little mitts all over it.