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STV News
14 hours ago
- STV News
Former drug lord jailed after return to organised crime 'spectacularly backfired'
A former crime boss has been jailed after his plan to make money through organised crime 'spectacularly backfired'. Roy Dunstance was jailed for 11 years in 2015 for running a major trafficking operation from his Spanish hideout. Police seized almost £8m of heroin as well as deadly weapons and other drugs during a series of raids in Scotland. Dunstance was freed early from HMP Shotts in August 2022 – almost four years before his sentence was due to expire. The 49-year-old moved into a rented two-bedroom flat in Lochgilphead, Argyll and Bute, after being released. Dunstance attracted the attention of police again in September last year when a shipment of 54kg of 'white powder' was intercepted by Home Office officials at London's Heathrow Airport. It had been sent from China and marked for Dunstance, but addressed to the property next door to his. Prosecutor Neil McCulloch told the High Court in Glasgow how the powder, found to be a form of paracetamol, could be mixed with caffeine to make a substance known as 'bash'. This could then be used to help bulk out drugs to maximise profits for dealers. Mr McCulloch said if it were used to mix with heroin, there was a 'potential value' of raking in more than £750,000. Police focused on Dunstance, and he was stopped outside his home last October. The advocate depute: 'The property was searched – there were some items recovered associated with the adulteration of controlled drugs. 'These included clear bags, a blender, and scales.' Police also seized a number of handwritten notes with references to certain countries where narcotics were considered 'legal highs'. There were further comments about 'commercial drones' as well as 'various contacts' listed, some believed to be based in England. Dunstance made no comment when questioned by officers. It led to Dunstance being brought into the dock again, where he pleaded guilty to a charge of being involved in serious organised crime. His lawyer told the hearing that the former gang boss, previously said to have profited by more than £1m from drug trafficking, had been 'financially struggling' at the time. John Scullion, defending, said the boxes of white powder had been detected by the authorities 'almost immediately'. It had been a plan by Dunstance, 'destined to failure'. The KC added: 'The circumstances are redolent of a desperate attempt, at a lower level, to make money, which spectacularly backfired. 'He now bitterly regrets further involvement in criminality.' Lord Matthews jailed Dunstance for three years and four months, cutting the term from five years due to his guilty plea. He must, however, first serve six months of the sentence he was previously freed from. Dunstance gave a beaming smile and a thumbs up to a woman in court as he returned to the cells. The case in 2015 heard how Dunstance's gang had been in the 'top 5%' of crime organisations in the country at that time. He was caught as part of the large-scale Operation Brora police probe. Detectives had managed to hack into messages that showed how Dunstance was directing crew members from his home in Spain. He was later extradited from the Netherlands to face justice. David Hawthorne – one of his trusted lieutenants – was separately jailed for nine years in 2014 for his role in manning safe houses for drugs and firearms in Drumchapel, Glasgow. Dunstance was also an associate of Euan 'EJ' Johnston, gunned down in a gangland killing in the city in 2016. 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
Daily Record
15 hours ago
- Daily Record
Notorious drug kingpin back behind bars after return to crime backfires
Gang boss Roy Dunstance has been jailed again. A former drug kingpin is back behind bars after a quick return to crime "spectacularly backfired". Roy Dunstance was jailed for 11 years in 2015 for running a major trafficking operation from his Spanish bolthole. Police seized almost £8m of heroin as well as deadly weapons and other drugs during a series of raids in Scotland. Dunstance was freed early from HMP Shotts in August 2022 - almost four years before his sentence was due to expire. From once living the high-life from dirty riches in Benalmadena, the 49 year-old then moved into a rented two-bedroom flat in Lochgilphead, Argyle and Bute after being released. But, rather then keep out of trouble, Dunstance again attracted the attention of the police. Last September 10, a shipment of 54kg of "white powder" was intercepted by Home Office officials at London's Heathrow Airport. It had been sent from China and marked for Dunstance, but at the next door address to where he lived. Prosecutor Neil McCulloch told the High Court in Glasgow how the powder - found to be form of paracetamol - could be mixed with caffeine. It would make a substance known as "bash" which could then be used to help bulk out drugs to maximise profits for dealers. Mr McCulloch said if it were used to mix with heroin there was a "potential value" of raking in more than £750,000. Police focused on Dunstance and he was stopped outside his home last October. The advocate depute: "The property was searched - there were some items recovered associated with the adulteration of controlled drugs. "These included clear bags, a blender and scales." Police also seized a number of hand-written notes with references to certain countries where narcotics were considered "legal highs". Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. There were further comments about "commercial drones" as well as "various contacts" listed some believed to be based in England. Dunstance made no comment when quizzed by officers. It led to Dunstance landing in the dock again. He pleaded guilty to a charge of being involved in serious organised crime. His lawyer told the hearing that the former gang boss - previously said to have profited by more than £1m from drug trafficking - had been "financially struggling" at the time. John Scullion, defending, said the boxes of white powder had been detected by the authorities "almost immediately". It had been a plan by Dunstance "destined to failure". The KC added: "The circumstances are redolent of a desperate attempt, at a lower level, to make money, which spectacularly backfired. He now bitterly regrets further involvement in criminality." Lord Matthews jailed Dunstance for three years and four months cutting the term from five years due to his guilty. He must, however, first serve six months of the sentence he was previously freed from. Dunstance gave a beaming smile and a thumbs up to a woman in court as he returned back to the cells. The case in 2015 heard how Dunstance's mob had been in the "top 5%" of crime gangs in the country at that time. He was snared as part of the large scale Operation Brora police probe. Detectives had managed to hack into messages which showed how Dunstance was directing crew members from his home in Spain. He was later extradited from the Netherlands to face justice. David Hawthorne - one of his trusted lieutenants - was separately jailed for nine years in 2014 for his role in the gang. He manned safe houses for drugs and firearms in Drumchapel, Glasgow. Dunstance was also an associate of Euan "EJ" Johnston, gunned down in a gangland killing in the city in 2016.
Edinburgh Live
09-06-2025
- Edinburgh Live
Michael Ross still in 'no man's land' as Prime Video drops Orkney Assassin documentary
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Michael Ross' solicitor has claimed that his client, who maintains his innocence, is stuck in "no man's land" three decades after being convicted of murder. Back in June 1994, a masked figure donning a balaclava entered the Mumataz Restaurant in Kirwall at about 7.10pm and fatally shot 26-year-old waiter Shamsuddin Mahmood before exiting the scene. Despite 14 years going by, Ross, then aged 15, was apprehended and found guilty of the crime in 2008. Following his conviction at the High Court in Glasgow, Ross notoriously attempted to flee but was thwarted and now remains incarcerated for life at HMP Shotts in Lanarkshire, as reported by the BBC. Prime Video has recently unveiled a one-off special titled The Orkney Assassin: Murder In The Isles, which includes interviews with officers, eyewitnesses, journalists, and Ross' parents,. In an exclusive chat with Screen Time prior to the documentary airing, Ross' lawyer Aamer Anwar provided an insight into his client's current plight. (Image: PRIME VIDEO/ORKNEY PHOTOGRAPHIC) "I suppose he's very much in no man's land," he commented. "The difficulty with an appeal you've ever watched Shawshank Redemption and Andy comes into prison and Morgan Freeman tells him 'Don't you know everyone's innocent inside'. "But I've come to learn from over 25 years of being a lawyer that the reality is there are lots of innocent people inside prison. "How to prove it is another matter, because the system is almost a raid against human rights throughout the United Kingdom, to be able to fight your appeal and to prove your innocence. "And even if you say you have five pinnacles of evidence, five issues, and one is so critical. "For instance, someone comes in and lies about you and says 'I saw him, that's definitely him.' "But that person is ruled out, 'well we'll still rely on the other four afterwards.' "The damage is already done. So therein lies the problem, as in people remain convicted." Anwar then highlighted the crucial role of DNA in cases like Ross', stating: "The idea that someone could walk into a restaurant, shoot someone at point blank range and not leave anything of themselves, beggar's belief. "I always say to my lecture students, to commit a murder is extremely difficult. "To not leave anything of yourself: footprints, DNA, CCTV maybe, whatever it may be. "Fair enough, this is a remote island but there were still people there. "The idea that this person then disappears into the darkness? Then begs the question that people always said, 'well they never closed the ports of entry and exit.' "Is it somebody from off the island that came on, well how do they know? They didn't." Even though three decades have passed, Ross maintains his innocence, with the former Army sniper having attempted to break out of prison thrice, the latest being in 2018 when he tried to scale a fence. "You still have someone who claims he is innocent, who has never given up that he is innocent, who is still fighting to prove his innocence," Anwar added. "He could have made his life a lot easier by saying 'I did it.' A lot more chance of parole then, a lot more chance of getting out earlier." The Orkney Assassin: Murder In The Isles is available to watch on Prime Video.
Daily Record
09-06-2025
- Daily Record
Orkney Assassin living in 'no man's land' as Michael Ross pleads innocence 30 years on
Michael Ross was just 15-years-old when he murdered waiter Shamsuddin Mahmood in Orkney in 1994. Michael Ross' lawyer has described his client's existence as akin to being in "no man's land" while he continues to assert his innocence three decades on. Back in June 1994, an individual donning a balaclava entered the Mumataz Restaurant in Kirkwall at approximately 7.10pm and fatally shot 26-year-old waiter Shamsuddin Mahmood before exiting the premises. Ross, who was a teenager at the time of the crime, was eventually arrested and found guilty of the murder in 2008. Following his guilty verdict, Ross notoriously attempted to flee the High Court in Glasgow but failed and is currently serving a life sentence at HMP Shotts in Lanarkshire, as reported by the BBC. Prime Video has recently unveiled a one-off special titled The Orkney Assassin: Murder In The Isles, which includes interviews with law enforcement officers, eyewitnesses, journalists, and Ross' parents. Speaking exclusively with Screen Time prior to the documentary's premiere, Ross' lawyer Aamer Anwar provided insights into his client's current situation. "I suppose he's very much in no man's land," he stated. "The difficulty with an appeal you've ever watched Shawshank Redemption and Andy comes into prison and Morgan Freeman tells him 'Don't you know everyone's innocent inside'. "But I've come to learn from over 25 years of being a lawyer that the reality is there are lots of innocent people inside prison. "How to prove it is another matter, because the system is almost a raid against human rights throughout the United Kingdom, to be able to fight your appeal and to prove your innocence. "And even if you say you have five pinnacles of evidence, five issues, and one is so critical. "For instance, someone comes in and lies about you and says 'I saw him, that's definitely him.' "But that person is ruled out, 'well we'll still rely on the other four afterwards.'". "The damage is already done. So therein lies the problem, as in people remain convicted." Anwar then highlighted the significance of DNA in cases like Ross', stating: "The idea that someone could walk into a restaurant, shoot someone at point blank range and not leave anything of themselves, beggar's belief. "I always say to my lecture students, to commit a murder is extremely difficult. "To not leave anything of yourself: footprints, DNA, CCTV maybe, whatever it may be. "Fair enough, this is a remote island but there were still people there. "The idea that this person then disappears into the darkness? Then begs the question that people always said, 'well they never closed the ports of entry and exit.' "Is it somebody from off the island that came on, well how do they know? They didn't." Despite three decades having passed, Ross continues to maintain his innocence. The former Army sniper has attempted to break out of prison thrice, with his most recent attempt in 2018 involving an effort to scale a fence. "You still have someone who claims he is innocent, who has never given up that he is innocent, who is still fighting to prove his innocence," Anwar added. "He could have made his life a lot easier by saying 'I did it.' A lot more chance of parole then, a lot more chance of getting out earlier."
Scottish Sun
05-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Notorious hitmen moved to prison isolation amid rising gangland tensions over Spain shootings
TWO notorious caged gunmen have been placed in precautionary isolation amid rising tensions inflamed by Scotland's deadly gang war. Daniel clan hitman Raymond Anderson and Lyons enforcer Billy 'Buff' Paterson have been made the subject of extra measures amid jail safety fears. 4 Police at 2006 garage shooting in Lambhill, Glasgow 4 Raymond Anderson has been isolated for his own safety Credit: Police Scotland 4 Eddie Lyons Jnr (L) and Ross Monaghan were blasted to death in Spain Credit: Les Gallagher It's understood prison bosses acted amid ongoing attacks in Scotland and fears the unconnected double murders of Ross Monaghan, 43, and Eddie Lyons Jnr, 46, could increase the risks further. Anderson - who gunned down Michael Lyons, 21, in the notorious Lambhill shooting of 2006 - has been moved along with Paterson, jailed for the murder of Kevin 'Gerbil' Carroll in 2010. A source said: 'Anderson and Paterson are now both in isolation at HMP Shotts for similar reasons. 'The risk of an attack on Anderson and other high-ranking mobsters like Paterson has never been higher. 'Prison bosses have a tough job as it is and the last thing they need is someone getting done on their watch. 'Even though it's been made clear the Daniels had nothing to do with what happened in Spain, there remains a risk.' Anderson was caged for at least 30 years in 2008 for Michael's murder, along with Daniel clan accomplice James McDonald. We told in 2022 how the assassin who murdered T2 Trainspotting star Bradley Welsh admitted attacking Anderson in a jail assault. Sean Orman, 34, lunged at Anderson, 61, as violence flared in Shotts prison on Christmas Eve 2020. Orman had a further 12 months added to the minimum 28-year term he was handed in May 2021 for shooting Welsh, 48, dead in Edinburgh. Menacing Paterson is said to be a powerful Lyons-linked enforcer inside the Lanarkshire prison. A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: 'We manage all people in our care in a way which best meets their individual risks and needs, and supports the safety, security, and good order of our establishments.' Elsewhere, Kinahan cartel leaders are supporting the families of Costa del Sol hit victims Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jnr and have promised them: 'We'll get this sorted.' And the grief-stricken family of murdered Lyons gang kingpin Ross Monaghan last sensationally said their Daniel clan enemies are not to blame.
