A new Scottish Sentencing Bill contains plans to dish out stiffer penalties to those who commit a crime motivated by hatred of gay, lesbian or bisexual people.

For example, if it is proven that a gay man or a lesbian has been attacked because of their sexuality, the offender will receive a harsher penalty.

The new law follows similar moves against sectarianism where longer sentences have been handed out to those committing a crime while showing prejudice towards religious groups such as Muslims and Catholics.

Similarly, racially aggravated offences have been set in law since 1998.

Gay campaigners last night hailed the new moves, claiming that they would send out a message that homophobia was unacceptable.

More