A PROSECUTOR who was hailed as “an inspiration” for his work on the inquiry into the Glasgow bin lorry crash has been installed as a sheriff.

Craig Harris, who has worked for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service since 2000, was sworn in at a ceremony at Paisley Sheriff Court.

Advocate Moira MacKenzie, an experienced Appeal Court lawyer who previously served on the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland and has tutored at the University of Edinburgh, was also inducted during the ceremony.

They will preside throughout the North Strathclyde area, which means they will sit at Paisley Sheriff Court.

Sheriff Principal Duncan Murray said it was his “privilege and honour” to perform the swearing-in ceremony, who are the first to be installed to the post of Summary Sheriff within the Sheriffdom.

In their role as Summary Sheriffs, Sheriffs Harris and MacKenzie will preside over civil matters and criminal cases which do not proceed before a jury and have a maximum jail term of 18 months.

Sheriff Principal Murray said: “They have been installed to this new tier of the justiciary and it is a great credit to Sheriffs Harris and McKenzie that they have been successful in this process.”

Around 100 people attended the ceremony, including Sheriffs Robert Fife, Colin Pettigrew, James Spy, David Pender, Seith Ireland and Tom McCartney, as well as the Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire, Guy Clark.

Procurator Fiscal Depute Laura Mundell, head prosecutor for the Sheriffdom of North Strathclyde, said Sheriff Harris had been a shining light to professionals working on the inquiry into the bin lorry tragedy, which saw six people die when a vehicle being driven by Harry Clarke veered out of control in December 2014.

She added: “Sheriff Harris is highly regarded for his significant intellect and understated and charming manner.

“In his preparation of the Glasgow bin lorry Fatal Accident Inquiry, his calm, measured influence on the team was an inspiration to all involved.”

Miss Mundell also hailed Sheriff MacKenzie’s “extensive experience as an advocate” and said her background in mental health would give her “a unique insight” whilst on the bench.