Latest news with #LordHarrower
Telegraph
03-07-2025
- Telegraph
Inmate given 10-year sentence for revenge plot on prison officer
A convicted murderer who plotted a gun attack on a prison guard has been jailed for more than 10 years. Robert Paterson, 45, planned the 'revenge' attack on an officer at HMP Edinburgh, believing he had put his life at risk by delaying a hospital visit after he swallowed seven bags of cocaine. The plot was foiled when police eavesdropped on conversations Paterson had about the plan through surveillance equipment they had installed in his cell in early 2023. At the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday, Lord Harrower sentenced Paterson to 10 and a half years in prison for his latest offending, with the sentence to begin immediately. He is currently serving a life sentence for murder and is not due to become eligible for parole until 2027. Lord Harrower told Paterson: 'It is clear your proper purpose was conspiring to commit a serious crime.' The judge said that shortly before 2am on Nov 15 2022, the officer heard Paterson 'scream that he was having a heart attack' from inside his cell and 'demand' to be taken to hospital. The officer had seen Paterson swallowing a SIM card he had removed from a mobile phone, and staff at the prison were surprised to see an ambulance arrive when none of them had ordered it. Paterson's vital signs were deemed healthy so he was kept in prison under observation for a few hours before being taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh shortly before 8am. Lord Harrower added the officer had been aware of an attempt by Paterson to escape when admitted to hospital in 2012. At hospital Paterson was given a CT scan and underwent surgery to remove seven plastic bags of cocaine from his stomach. An unnecessary delay The judge said that later Paterson began to 'seek revenge' against the officer for what he believed was an unnecessary delay in sending him to hospital. He set about obtaining a weapon and 'identified an individual who was prepared to carry out an assault' in return for 'drugs or money'. He also discussed procuring a vehicle and driver for the assault. Thomas Ross KC, Paterson's advocate, earlier told the court his client had reacted after deeming 'the manner in which the medical emergency was handled increased the risk of a fatal outcome'. On May 2 2025, Paterson pleaded guilty to directing others to carry out an assault and obtaining for that purpose a handgun, ammunition and a vehicle. He also admitted directing and arranging the supply of drugs and to directing others to steal drugs, watches and money. Teresa Medhurst, the chief executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), said: 'As Lord Harrower rightly identified, the officer in this case acted entirely appropriately and it is completely unacceptable that he, or any other member of SPS staff, be targeted in this way. 'We will continue to work closely with partners across the justice sector to ensure that all necessary action is taken to protect those who play a vital role in keeping Scotland safe.'
Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Locked up, teenager who raped girl while out on bail for three other sex attacks
A teenager who raped four girls, including one after he was freed on bail, has been locked up for eight years. Riley Kirk perpetrated sex assaults on three victims at addresses in Grangemouth, Stirlingshire, and carried out a further attack on a 16-year-old girl at a house in East Calder, West Lothian, after he was granted bail. Kirk, now aged 20, began his offending when he was 14 and continued committing sex crimes until he was three days short of his 18th birthday. Two of his victims were subjected to rapes when they were sleeping and when challenged Kirk claimed that he must have been asleep as well. A judge told him at the High Court in Edinburgh that there were several aggravating factors in his crimes, including that he offended repeatedly against his first three victims. Lord Harrower said it was 'very concerning' that after Kirk was placed on bail he carried out a further rape of a vulnerable 16-year-old girl he hardly knew The judge told Kirk: 'The period of time you will spend in detention will be shorter than for an adult man sentenced for the same offences.' He ordered that the sex offender should be under supervision in the community for a further three years after his jail term. Kirk, formerly of, Kirkcaldy, Fife, denied a series of charges during an earlier trial but was found guilty of six charges of rape and sexual assault. He attacked and raped his first victim on October 19 in 2019 at an address in Grangemouth when she was aged 14. During the assault he repeatedly pushed the girl and removed her clothing. He sexually assaulted her again in the town on an occasion between May 1 and July 31 the following year. On November 24 in 2021 he raped a 17-year-old girl at a house in Grangemouth when she was asleep and incapable of consenting. He assaulted and raped the girl again on an occasion between November 25 and December 6 that year. Kirk raped another 17-year-old on various occasions between July 1 and August 31 in 2022 at a different address if Grangemouth. The victim was raped while sleeping and after she awoke. He was granted bail at Falkirk Sheriff Court on December 21 in 2022 but went on to attack and rape the 16-year-old in East Calder on January 29 in 2023. Defence counsel Tony Graham KC said Kirk was convicted of grave offences committed at a time when he was an adolescent moving into young adulthood. He asked the judge to take into account his age at the time of the offending and potential for rehabilitation. Lord Harrower made non harassment orders prohibiting Kirk from contacting or attempting to contact the victims for an indefinite period. Kirk was placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.
