A court dedicated to dealing with offenders who commit a crime while abusing alcohol has been launched in Glasgow.

The court is the latest "problem-solving court" to be launched after a pilot project was introduced to Edinburgh Sheriff Court in 2016.

Since the initial pilot, Aberdeen and Forfar have also adopted the project.

The idea behind the project originates from the creation of a successful Drug Court in Glasgow, which has been in operation since 2001.

Addaction Scotland, a drug and alcohol charity, believes it can divert people from criminal offences and tailor sentences to influence an individual's behaviour.

The Glasgow pilot will apply to people appearing in the sheriff summary courts who plead guilty to, or are convicted of, charges involving violence or dishonesty.

It will also deal with order offences, or drink driving offences in circumstances in which it appears that alcohol abuse has significantly contributed to the offending.

The pilot is directed towards those who face charges which do not contain an domestic element.

Andrew Horne, director of Addaction Scotland, said: "We fully support a new specialised alcohol court in the city.

"We believe that structured intervention can divert people from the criminal justice system towards the help they need.

"In addition, the court will monitor their recovery progress which can fuel people's efforts to turn their lives around.

"Giving people the support they need to break the cycle and consequently make lasting changes in Scotland's drug and alcohol landscape, is better than the revolving door of the prison system."