AXE CRIME OF PASSION DEFENCE

Conviction can be reduced to culpable homicide if 'jealous rage' is blamed

- BY NORMAN SILVESTER

SCOTS law must be changed to prevent those accused or murder claiming a "crime of passion" when they kill a partner, legal experts claim.

At present a man accused of murdering his wife or her lover can use a partial defence of sexual infidelity provocation.

That can enable a jury to find him guilty of the lesser charge of culpable homicide.

However, the Scottish Law Commission says the infidelity defence, which can be used by men and women accused of murder, is outdated and should be removed.