Latest news with #CrownOfficeandProcuratorFiscalService
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
Duo who planned to smuggle drugs in Kinder Eggs jailed for 13 years
McAllister, 53, was convicted of directing others – including Lamb – to commit offences including the sale and supply of controlled drugs, which included cocaine, heroin, spice, cannabis and etizolam. Lamb was convicted of being concerned in serious organised crime, including the sale and supply of the same drugs. Their scheme also included plans to smuggle drugs into a prison hidden inside Kinder Eggs. They were both sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh after pleading guilty to their roles. Read More McAllister, of Glasgow, was sentenced to eight years and three months in prison while Lamb, also of Glasgow, will spend five years and four months behind bars. Sineidin Corrins, Depute Procurator Fiscal for Specialist Casework at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: 'This is a significant prosecution. These two individuals played pivotal roles in a coordinated operation to distribute illegal and harmful drugs. 'With this conviction, we have removed these drugs from the streets and made communities safer. 'This successful prosecution underscores our determination to continue to disrupt serious organised crime. 'We will continue to collaborate with our partners as a member of Scotland's Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce to tackle serious organised crime and this kind of case highlights the extensive work that has been ongoing against these groups.' McAllister was linked to the Escalade serious organised crime group with evidence secured by police revealing he was issuing direct instructions to Lamb. In addition, McAllister directed others in the storage, preparation, transportation and movement of controlled drugs. The court was told McAllister was also involved in directing other to conceal criminal property, specifically money and jewellery, associated with the proceeds of crime. On one occasion, McAllister was directing Lamb to hand over £25,000 to a shop to be laundered. Other evidence related to conversations about smuggling drugs into prisons hidden inside balloons and Kinder Eggs. McAllister was also heard discussing the delivery of cocaine and heroin, while he also referred to a 'stash house' where he planned to have a woman and child live to make the property seem legitimate. Lamb was eventually arrested in March 2023 after a search of his home revealed a quantity of drugs which included a quantity of Kinder Eggs containing drugs wrapped in Sellotape. The following day, McAllister was also arrested after police recovered numerous sim cards, phones and small quantities of cash during a search of his house. When police carried out a subsequent search of his sister's house, they found a bag that had previously been dropped off by McAllister. Within that bag was a mobile phone linked to McAllister which contained incriminating messages that demonstrated his involvement in the source and supply of cocaine and adulterant. The bag also contained bottles of THC, cash totalling £10,000, scales containing traces of cocaine and four watches valued cumulatively between £23,000 and £30,000.
Scotsman
7 days ago
- Scotsman
Man who tried to murder wife by running her over outside Edinburgh home handed increased jail term
A man who tried to kill his wife by running her over with his car twice has had his jail term increased after it was ruled that a more severe sentence was required. Sign up to the daily Crime UK newsletter. All the latest crime news and trials from across the UK. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... William Budge drove his car at and over his estranged wife Sandra in the shocking incident outside her home on Muirhouse Parkway on April 14 last year. He then turned the car and drove over her a second time in an attempt to murder her. The 62-year-old pleaded guilty to three charges, including an assault in 2016/17, a course of domestic abuse over more than five years and the attempted murder of his wife, when he appeared at Edinburgh's High Court. He was later sentenced at the same court to seven years and four months in prison. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But after the February sentencing, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) asked the Appeal Court to consider imposing a more severe sentence. William Budge tried to murder his wife by running over her twice | Google Maps The original sentence has now been quashed after the appeal was upheld by a panel of three judges. Budge has now been handed a new sentence of 10 years and 10 months in prison. Sentencing Budge in February, Lord Lake said: 'Your conduct in the attempted murder was caught on video and is quite horrifying to watch. You used your car as a weapon and drove it at and over your wife. Having done this, you made a U-turn and went back and drove over her a second time. 'The callousness and cruelty of your acts are astonishing. There can be no doubt that you showed complete indifference as to whether your conduct killed her. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Having seen the footage, as was recognised by Mr Stewart on your behalf, it is remarkable that your wife was not killed. She suffered serious life threatening injuries including internal injuries and skeletal injuries which meant she was in hospital for two months. 'I have considered the victim impact statement from your wife and it is clear that she still suffers both physically and mentally and, although she has taken advantage of various therapies and treatments, it seems she will continue to do so for some time.' Speaking on the new sentence, Laura Buchan, Deputy Crown Agent, said: 'COPFS is committed to improving the criminal justice journey for victims. Prosecutors have a responsibility to consider appeals based upon undue leniency in sentencing. Such appeals are rare. 'The decision to increase William Budge's sentence provides reassurance that the impact of domestic abuse on victims is recognised by those within the criminal justice system. 'No one should have to live in fear of a partner or former partner. I would urge anyone affected by this type of offending to report it and seek support.'
STV News
20-06-2025
- STV News
Fatal accident inquiry to be held into death of hotel worker who fell through roof
A Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) will investigate the death of a hotel receptionist who fell through a roof in Dundee. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has lodged a First Notice to begin court processes into the death of Garry Anderson at a Premier Inn Hotel in Kingsway West. The 62-year-old receptionist died on August 24, 2023 from injuries suffered after falling through a panel on a walkway roof at the hotel two days prior. A preliminary hearing has been set for July 31, 2025 at Dundee Sheriff Court. The purpose of a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) includes determining the cause of death; the circumstances in which the deaths occurred, and to establish what, if any, reasonable precautions could have been taken, and could be implemented in the future, to minimise the risk of future deaths in similar circumstances. Unlike criminal proceedings, FAIs are inquisitorial in nature, and are used to establish facts rather than to apportion blame. Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on death investigations for COPFS, said: 'The death of Garry Anderson occurred while in the course of his employment and as such a Fatal Accident Inquiry is mandatory. 'The lodging of the First Notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the Sheriff. 'Mr Anderson's family will continue to be kept informed of significant developments as court proceedings progress.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Herald Scotland
20-06-2025
- The Herald Scotland
FAI launched into death of receptionist Gerry Anderson at Premier Inn
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has lodged a First Notice to begin the court process for the FAI to take place. FAIs are held to work out what happened in the case of an accidental death and prevent similar tragedies. They do not apportion blame. READ MORE: COPFS said in a statement: 'The purpose of a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) includes determining the cause of death; the circumstances in which the deaths occurred, and to establish what, if any, reasonable precautions could have been taken, and could be implemented in the future, to minimise the risk of future deaths in similar circumstances.
The Herald Scotland
17-06-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Disability attacks increase despite hate crime being down overall
The statistics are the first to includes crimes under the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, which came into force on April 1 last year. Overall, there were 6,019 hate crimes recorded in 2024-25 – down 1.2% on the year before. But charges aggravated by disability rose by 15% to 1,069 – the highest annual number recorded since the legislation creating the aggravation came into force in 2010. Recorded hate crime against disabled people has risen consistently since the start of the last decade. Race continued to be the most commonly reported hate crime in Scotland, with 3,357 such charges being recorded over the last year. The figure, accounting for 55% of hate crimes, represents a decrease of 2.2% compared to the year before. Read More Hate crimes over sexual orientation, the second most common type, decreased by 8.7% to 1,699 – the lowest number of charges since 2020. Religious hate crime charges also decreased by 5.1% to 505, the lowest annual number since 2004. Hate crime charges against transgender people were down by one to 86. There were 88 charges related to age and 13 related to variations in sex characteristics, both of which are new aggravators included in the Hate Crime Act. There were 27 charges of stirring up hatred relating to race and another 65 for stirring up hatred against 'other protected characteristics' – both new charges under the Act. The Lord Advocate, Scotland's top law officer, urged the public to be vigilant over hate crime. Dorothy Bain KC said hate-fuelled crime continued to be a blight on Scotland's communities and urged the public to report any incidents to the police. She said: 'There is no room for complacency in our response to – and recognition of – hate crime. 'Last year, prosecutors at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) received reports with more than 6,000 charges fuelled by hatred and targeted at people who are simply being themselves. 'Today's publication highlights the shameful prejudice which persists and – in relation to those affected by disability – has been exposed in increasing numbers. 'Those of us who wish to live in a tolerant society find this abhorrent. Hate crime has hugely damaging effects on victims, their families and the wider community. 'COPFS will play its part in helping to make Scotland a safer place by prosecuting robustly those who victimise others through their own ignorance or bigotry.' Scottish Conservative Tory MSP Liam Kerr said: 'These figures reveal Humza Yousaf's Hate Crime Act for what it is – a completely unnecessary law that's a drain on police resources. 'We repeatedly warned that this bad law was unworkable and would lead to the police having to deal with a slew of spurious complaints. 'The relatively small number of charges being brought appears to bear this out. 'Instead of asking the police to continually enforce flawed legislation, SNP ministers should prioritise funding our police force so they can properly keep our communities safe.'
