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Sunday World
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Assault case against Scottish mobster and Kinahan ally Robert Kelbie dropped
He was due to go on trial on two counts An assault case against Scottish mobster and friend of Daniel Kinahan, Robert Kelbie, has been dropped, the Sunday World has learned. The 41-year-old was due to go on trial, accused of attacking Malcom Gemmill, by punching him in the head at the Newbridge Inn pub near Edinburgh between August 1 and 30, 2021. He was also accused of 'acting in an aggressive manner' towards Mr Gemmill and another person, Lacey Moffat, in Tranent, East Lothian in June 2022. Appearing in Edinburgh Sheriff Court, last February, Kelbie pleaded not guilty to both charges. His co-accused, Lisa Eardley, of South Gyle, Edinburgh, is alleged to have knowingly or recklessly procured medical information relating to Mr Gemmill without consent and disclosing the information to another at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on June 30, 2022. She did not appear at the hearing, but entered a plea of not guilty. The pair were due to go on trial last November; however, it did not go ahead. The case against Kelbie has been dropped completely, while Eardley is due to go on trial at a rescheduled date of October 27th 2025. Robert Kelbie, who was recently snapped backstage at an Oasis gig with singer Noel Gallagher, is a boxing promoter who previously worked for Daniel Kinahan's now-defunct company MTK. The Scotsman, who previously admitted mortgage fraud in 2012, is well-known to Scottish police and has survived three assassination attempts. In July 2023, Tyson Fury was spotted out and about with Kelbie on a whistlestop trip to Edinburgh, where they popped into a plush cocktail bar while the fighter posed for pictures with tour bus staff. Fury and Kelbie (far right) Fraudster, Kelbie, who has links to the Lyons crime clan, became pals with Tyson, who has no links to criminality, after allegedly landing a job working with him three years ago. He's posted numerous snaps on social media alongside stars such as Mike Tyson, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sir Alex Ferguson and Ronnie O'Sullivan. Kelbie claimed to have served as director of talent for MTK Global, the boxing promotions firm linked to mobster Kinahan, and was a key player in setting up a now-defunct MTK gym in Fuerteventura. MTK Global was put out of business after US cops put a $5 million bounty on founder Kinahan's head in 2022. The previous year Kelbie was with Fury when he kicked out at a taxi in an incident caught on camera while they were on holiday in the south of France. Kelbie was seen leaning through the passenger's side window while Fury tried to open the door before it takes off without them. He later uploaded pictures to his Instagram in the resort town that included footage of the boxer and his dad with pints of Stella at a roadside bar. Kelbie, who has reinvented himself as a boxing promoter, is a sworn enemy of jailed cocaine kingpin Mark Richardson (38) whose associates include members of Glasgow's Daniel Clan, MailOnline reports. Robert Kelbie News in 90 Seconds - July 23rd Gangsters working for Richardson are believed to have ripped off Dubai-based Ross 'Miami' McGill with £500,000 of fake cash for a cocaine shipment. The Daniel Clan's deadly rivals, the Lyons gang have reportedly been giving McGill, a former Rangers football ultras 'capo', information on the Edinburgh-based gangsters as he conducted his campaign of revenge. He is alleged to have ordered knife attacks, shootings and firebombing that sparked a tit-for-tat gangland clash. Back in 2010, Kelbie was shot in the back outside a Bannatyne's Health Club in Edinburgh. In 2013, a hail of bullets was fired at the hood's home at Ratho Station, Edinburgh which he fled 2016.
Sunday World
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Scottish gangster linked to Lyons clan hangs out backstage at Oasis gig
Robert Kelbie is a friend of Daniel Kinahan and worked with MTK Global The Scottish criminal posed for photos with Noel Gallagher as well as guitarist, Gem Archer and former Doctor Who actor Matt Smith at a backstage party for the band. Kelbie (41) a convicted fraudster, was snapped wearing an exclusive VIP badge while grinning broadly with the A-listers on his Instagram account. The former convict even uploaded a video of himself at the gig, with the soundtrack of Oasis' hit 'Stay Young' that he captioned '#oasismania what a great night. They're definitely a must see.' Kelbie, of Ratho, Edinburgh has links to Irish crime boss and former promoter through Kinahan's now-defunct MTK management stable. At the height of Kinahan's 'sports washing' PR campaign, he urged major names in the sport to help promote his image which included the heavyweight champ who gave his friend and mentor a social media shout-out. Kelbie, who previously admitted mortgage fraud in 2012, is well-known to Scottish police and has survived three assassination attempts. Matt Smith and Robert Kelbie In July 2023, Tyson Fury was sotted out and about with Kelbie on a whistlestop trip to Edinburgh where they popped into a plush cocktail bar while the fighter posed for pictures with tour bus staff. Fury and hardman Kelbie were even treated to specially-made Gypsy King cocktails featuring the boxer's logo and their faces on the fancy drinks at VIP favourite Tigerlily. Convicted fraudster, Kelbie, who has links to the Lyons crime clan, became pals with Tyson, who has no links to criminality, after allegedly landing a job working with him three years ago. Read more He claimed to have served as director of talent for MTK Global, the boxing promotions firm linked to mobster Kinahan, which advised Fury, former middleweight and super-middleweight champion Billie Joe Saunders (32), and Scottish light-welterweight world title holder Josh Taylor (31). Fury, Saunders and Taylor have no links to crime. MTK Global was put out of business ahead of the Gypsy King's Wembley triumph when he beat Dillian Whyte in April 2022 after US cops put a $5 million bounty on founder Kinahan's head. Kelbie reportedly helped set up a Spanish gym for a boxing firm linked to wanted mob boss Kinahan. Fury and Kelbie (far right) The previous year Kelbie was with Fury when he kicked out at a taxi in an incident caught on camera while they were on holiday in the south of France. Kelbie was seen leaning through the passenger's side window while Fury tried to open the door before it takes off without them. Kelbie later uploaded pictures to his Instagram in the resort town that included footage of the boxer and his dad with pints of Stella at a roadside bar. Kelbie, who has reinvented himself as a boxing promoter, is a sworn enemy of jailed cocaine kingpin Mark Richardson (38) whose associates include members of Glasgow's Daniel Clan, MailOnline reports. Gangsters working for Richardson are believed to have ripped off Dubai-based Ross 'Miami' McGill with £500,000 of fake cash for a cocaine shipment. The Daniel Clan's deadly rivals, Lyons gang have reportedly been giving McGill, a former Rangers football ultras 'capo', information on the Edinburgh-based gangsters as he conducted his campaign of revenge. He is alleged to have ordered knife attacks, shootings and firebombing that sparked a tit-for-tat gangland clash. Back in 2010, Kelbie was shot in the back outside a Bannatyne's Health Club in Edinburgh. In 2013, a hail of bullets were fired at the hood's home at Ratho Station, Edinburgh which he fled 2016. Kelbie has since reinvented himself as a boxing promoter and has previously been pictured in selfies with legendary former Manchester United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, 82, retired England ace Wayne Rooney. Kelbie's latest snap comes just days after the funerals of two Scottish gangsters who were gunned down in the Costa del Sol. Top 'Lyons' gang figures Ross Monaghan, 43, and Eddie Lyons Jnr, 46, were shot dead having watched the Champions League final at Monaghans bar in Fuengirola, Spain, on May 31.
North Wales Chronicle
20-05-2025
- North Wales Chronicle
Prison service ‘closed ranks' after young offender took his own life, FAI finds
Jack McKenzie, 20, died in his cell at Polmont YOI in September 2021, nine months after being remanded on rape and sexual assault charges, which he denied. Mr McKenzie was pronounced dead in his cell at 7.57am on September 3, after taking his own life which was deemed 'unpredictable' in a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) determination by Sheriff Simon Collins, after hearing evidence at Falkirk Sheriff Court. Mr McKenzie had been confined to his cell following an 'aggressive' outburst attributed to drugs on September 1. His death could have occurred between 3am and 7.36am, the inquiry found, however, two prison officers tasked with a 'hatch check' just after 6.30am did not do so sufficiently, and a total of seven recommendations were issued to Scottish Prison Service (SPS) regarding improvements. Sheriff Collins said in his determination 'poor practice must be investigated and sanctioned, not ignored and therefore – apparently – condoned'. It added: 'The purpose of imposing a sanction is not to criticise prison officers for the sake of it, but to seek to drive up standards in the hope – in the present context – of preventing the deaths of further young prisoners by suicide.' A six-month deadline was set for SPS to reduce 'abusive and bullying verbal behaviour, drug dealing, and to respond to physical disturbances' during the night, in the sheriff's determination. Mr McKenzie was described as a 'chronic drug user' who had been remanded four times in three years in Polmont YOI, however, his death was described as 'impulsive' and a report called for improvements to cell environments. Sheriff Collins, who presided over the Katie Allan and William Brown FAI, which also investigated Polmont, said 10 young prisoners died by suicide there between 2010 and 2023, while more than 120 prisoners died by suicide in Scottish prisons between 2011 and July 2024. A total of seven recommendations were made, and the report said: 'Jack's death was spontaneous, unpredicted and unpredictable. But it is well known that prisoner suicides can be so. 'Accordingly prisoners should, insofar as reasonably possible, be detained in environments which are safe, in the sense of minimising the risk of such suicides.' The report said an audit had been done of potential suicide risks in equivalent cells and using the Manchester Tool Kit (MTK), Mr McKenzie's cell would have 'indicated the highest level of risk'. It said: 'If a young, vulnerable prisoner was accommodated, without regular observation, the resulting overall MTK scoring for the cell would have indicated the highest level of risk, calling for remediation.' The sheriff wrote it 'would have been a reasonable precaution for the Scottish Prison Service prior to September 2021, to have removed and replaced the toilet cubicle door in Jack's cell, or to have modified it, such that it was not readily capable of being used… without significant ingenuity or adaptation'. Jack McKenzie took his own life at HMPYOI Polmont in September 2021 (Andrew Milligan/PA) Mr McKenzie was perceived by staff as 'jovial, funny, likeable and talkative' but on drugs could be 'aggressive, agitated and anti-authority' and traded substances. However, he had never been assessed as suicidal, the report September 1, Mr McKenzie smashed two phones and was restrained and confined to his cell due to becoming 'non-compliant' and intoxicated – using an order which would have expired on September 4 just after 3pm. The report said: 'There was simply nothing to indicate, prior to September 3 2021, that Jack had any thoughts or intention of dying by suicide'. Accounts from neighbouring cellmates suggested 'that Jack was still alive at around 3am to 4am' on September 3, the report said. At 6.37am on September 3, two prison officers failed to carry out a hatch check at Mr McKenzie's cell to ensure he was safe and failed to take steps to ascertain his whereabouts, and did not log concerns on a handover, it added. A recommendation said: 'A sanction should have been imposed on both officers and/or corrective training required of them.' Governor Gerry Michie did not issue any 'disciplinary action, reprimand, warning or sanction' and neither officer was 'offered, nor required, to undertake additional training '- which was branded 'unacceptable' in the report. The report said: 'The absence of any disciplinary action, given the seriousness of the breach, and the possible seriousness of the consequences of it, is incongruous and unacceptable. 'I do not accept, as SPS submitted, that this was within the range of reasonable responses open to governor Michie. 'Rather, it was a response which sends a message to prison officers that they will not be held to account for a failure to 'do the basics well', and a message to the public that the first response of SPS to poor staff practice in the context of the death of a prisoner is to close ranks and protect its own.' Procurator fiscal Andy Shanks said: 'The sheriff's determination, which makes significant recommendations in relation to reduction and prevention and the checking of cells, is extensive and detailed. 'The FAI followed a thorough and comprehensive investigation by the procurator fiscal who ensured that the full facts of Jack's death were presented in evidence. My thoughts remain with Jack's loved ones.' An SPS spokesperson said: 'We would like to offer our sincere condolences and apologies to the family of Jack McKenzie for his sad death and the failings identified in this report. 'We are grateful to Sheriff Collins for his recommendations, which we will fully consider as we continue to deliver systemic change, at pace, in a way which keeps young people in our care safe, during one of the most challenging and vulnerable periods of their lives.' Justice secretary Angela Constance said: 'I wish to express my deepest condolences to the family of Jack McKenzie, I am deeply sorry about his death. 'Deaths from suicide in custody are as tragic as they are preventable, and Jack's death should not have happened whilst he was in the care of the state. 'I have been clear that there needs to be systemic change and action at pace to ensure we prevent avoidable deaths in custody. Work is well underway to put in place the necessary reforms to make our prisons safe and rehabilitative. 'I thank Sheriff Collins for his detailed determination which has highlighted a number of reasonable precautions that should have been taken and systemic failures that must be addressed to help prevent other deaths in custody. 'His recommendations will be given very careful and detailed consideration and responded to formally by July 11. 'Delivering lasting change must be underpinned by accountability and transparency at every stage which is why I have established a ministerial accountability board to provide oversight and drive progress.'
Western Telegraph
20-05-2025
- Western Telegraph
Prison service ‘closed ranks' after young offender took his own life, FAI finds
Jack McKenzie, 20, died in his cell at Polmont YOI in September 2021, nine months after being remanded on rape and sexual assault charges, which he denied. Mr McKenzie was pronounced dead in his cell at 7.57am on September 3, after taking his own life which was deemed 'unpredictable' in a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) determination by Sheriff Simon Collins, after hearing evidence at Falkirk Sheriff Court. Mr McKenzie had been confined to his cell following an 'aggressive' outburst attributed to drugs on September 1. His death could have occurred between 3am and 7.36am, the inquiry found, however, two prison officers tasked with a 'hatch check' just after 6.30am did not do so sufficiently, and a total of seven recommendations were issued to Scottish Prison Service (SPS) regarding improvements. Sheriff Collins said in his determination 'poor practice must be investigated and sanctioned, not ignored and therefore – apparently – condoned'. It was a response which sends a message... to the public that the first response of SPS to poor staff practice in the context of the death of a prisoner is to close ranks and protect its own Sheriff Simon Collins It added: 'The purpose of imposing a sanction is not to criticise prison officers for the sake of it, but to seek to drive up standards in the hope – in the present context – of preventing the deaths of further young prisoners by suicide.' A six-month deadline was set for SPS to reduce 'abusive and bullying verbal behaviour, drug dealing, and to respond to physical disturbances' during the night, in the sheriff's determination. Mr McKenzie was described as a 'chronic drug user' who had been remanded four times in three years in Polmont YOI, however, his death was described as 'impulsive' and a report called for improvements to cell environments. Sheriff Collins, who presided over the Katie Allan and William Brown FAI, which also investigated Polmont, said 10 young prisoners died by suicide there between 2010 and 2023, while more than 120 prisoners died by suicide in Scottish prisons between 2011 and July 2024. A total of seven recommendations were made, and the report said: 'Jack's death was spontaneous, unpredicted and unpredictable. But it is well known that prisoner suicides can be so. 'Accordingly prisoners should, insofar as reasonably possible, be detained in environments which are safe, in the sense of minimising the risk of such suicides.' The report said an audit had been done of potential suicide risks in equivalent cells and using the Manchester Tool Kit (MTK), Mr McKenzie's cell would have 'indicated the highest level of risk'. It said: 'If a young, vulnerable prisoner was accommodated, without regular observation, the resulting overall MTK scoring for the cell would have indicated the highest level of risk, calling for remediation.' The sheriff wrote it 'would have been a reasonable precaution for the Scottish Prison Service prior to September 2021, to have removed and replaced the toilet cubicle door in Jack's cell, or to have modified it, such that it was not readily capable of being used… without significant ingenuity or adaptation'. Jack McKenzie took his own life at HMPYOI Polmont in September 2021 (Andrew Milligan/PA) Mr McKenzie was perceived by staff as 'jovial, funny, likeable and talkative' but on drugs could be 'aggressive, agitated and anti-authority' and traded substances. However, he had never been assessed as suicidal, the report September 1, Mr McKenzie smashed two phones and was restrained and confined to his cell due to becoming 'non-compliant' and intoxicated – using an order which would have expired on September 4 just after 3pm. The report said: 'There was simply nothing to indicate, prior to September 3 2021, that Jack had any thoughts or intention of dying by suicide'. Accounts from neighbouring cellmates suggested 'that Jack was still alive at around 3am to 4am' on September 3, the report said. At 6.37am on September 3, two prison officers failed to carry out a hatch check at Mr McKenzie's cell to ensure he was safe and failed to take steps to ascertain his whereabouts, and did not log concerns on a handover, it added. A recommendation said: 'A sanction should have been imposed on both officers and/or corrective training required of them.' Governor Gerry Michie did not issue any 'disciplinary action, reprimand, warning or sanction' and neither officer was 'offered, nor required, to undertake additional training '- which was branded 'unacceptable' in the report. The report said: 'The absence of any disciplinary action, given the seriousness of the breach, and the possible seriousness of the consequences of it, is incongruous and unacceptable. 'I do not accept, as SPS submitted, that this was within the range of reasonable responses open to governor Michie. 'Rather, it was a response which sends a message to prison officers that they will not be held to account for a failure to 'do the basics well', and a message to the public that the first response of SPS to poor staff practice in the context of the death of a prisoner is to close ranks and protect its own.' Procurator fiscal Andy Shanks said: 'The sheriff's determination, which makes significant recommendations in relation to reduction and prevention and the checking of cells, is extensive and detailed. 'The FAI followed a thorough and comprehensive investigation by the procurator fiscal who ensured that the full facts of Jack's death were presented in evidence. My thoughts remain with Jack's loved ones.' An SPS spokesperson said: 'We would like to offer our sincere condolences and apologies to the family of Jack McKenzie for his sad death and the failings identified in this report. 'We are grateful to Sheriff Collins for his recommendations, which we will fully consider as we continue to deliver systemic change, at pace, in a way which keeps young people in our care safe, during one of the most challenging and vulnerable periods of their lives.' Justice secretary Angela Constance said: 'I wish to express my deepest condolences to the family of Jack McKenzie, I am deeply sorry about his death. 'Deaths from suicide in custody are as tragic as they are preventable, and Jack's death should not have happened whilst he was in the care of the state. 'I have been clear that there needs to be systemic change and action at pace to ensure we prevent avoidable deaths in custody. Work is well underway to put in place the necessary reforms to make our prisons safe and rehabilitative. 'I thank Sheriff Collins for his detailed determination which has highlighted a number of reasonable precautions that should have been taken and systemic failures that must be addressed to help prevent other deaths in custody. 'His recommendations will be given very careful and detailed consideration and responded to formally by July 11. 'Delivering lasting change must be underpinned by accountability and transparency at every stage which is why I have established a ministerial accountability board to provide oversight and drive progress.'
Daily Record
20-05-2025
- Daily Record
Prison officers 'failed to check in' on inmate who took own life at Polmont YOI
Prison officers failed to properly check up on an inmate who had taken his own life in prison, a probe has found. Jack McKenzie was pronounced dead in his cell at Polmont Young Offenders Institute (YOI) just before 8am on September 1, 2021, 90 minutes after guards were meant to conduct a thorough 'hatch check' on his wellbeing. A Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) also found the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) 'condoned' the incident by not disciplining staff involved. McKenzie had been at the institution for nine months on rape and sexual assault charges, which he denied. Sheriff Simon Collins ruled his death as 'unpredictable' but criticised the prison service for 'poor practice'. The 20-year-old from Shettleston, Glasgow, had been confined to his cell following an 'aggressive' outburst attributed to drugs on September 1 and his death could have occurred between 3am and 7.36am that night, the inquiry found. The SPS has since apologised to Jack's family for the failings found in the report and his sad death. The young man, who lost both parents to drugs, was described as a 'chronic drug user' who had been remanded four times in three years in Polmont. However his death was described as 'impulsive' and a report called for improvements to cell environments. Sheriff Collins - who presided over the Katie Allan and William Brown FAI, which also probed the prison - said 10 young prisoners died by suicide there between 2010 and 2023, while more than 120 prisoners died by suicide in Scottish prisons between 2011 and July 2024. A total of seven recommendations were made, with the report saying: 'Jack's death was spontaneous, unpredicted and unpredictable. But it is well known that prisoner suicides can be so. 'Accordingly prisoners should, insofar as reasonably possible, be detained in environments which are safe, in the sense of minimising the risk of such suicides.' The report said an audit had been done of potential suicide risks in equivalent cells and using the Manchester Tool Kit (MTK), Mr McKenzie's cell would have 'indicated the highest level of risk'. It said: 'If a young, vulnerable prisoner was accommodated, without regular observation, the resulting overall MTK scoring for the cell would have indicated the highest level of risk, calling for remediation.' The sheriff wrote it 'would have been a reasonable precaution for the Scottish Prison Service prior to September 2021, to have removed and replaced the toilet cubicle door in Jack's cell, or to have modified it, such that it was not readily capable of being used… without significant ingenuity or adaptation'. A six-month deadline was set for SPS to reduce 'abusive and bullying verbal behaviour, drug dealing, and to respond to physical disturbances' during the night, in the sheriff's determination. Mr McKenzie was perceived by staff as 'jovial, funny, likeable and talkative' but on drugs could be 'aggressive, agitated and anti-authority' and traded substances. However, he had never been assessed as suicidal, the report added. On September 1, Mr McKenzie smashed two phones and was restrained and confined to his cell due to becoming 'non-compliant' and intoxicated – using an order which would have expired on September 4 just after 3pm. The report said: 'There was simply nothing to indicate, prior to September 3 2021, that Jack had any thoughts or intention of dying by suicide'. Accounts from neighbouring cellmates suggested 'Jack was still alive at around 3am to 4am' on September 3, the report said. Then at 6.37am on September 3, two prison officers failed to carry out a hatch check at Mr McKenzie's cell to ensure he was safe and failed to take steps to ascertain his whereabouts, and did not log concerns on a handover, it added. A recommendation said: 'A sanction should have been imposed on both officers and/or corrective training required of them.' Governor Gerry Michie did not issue any 'disciplinary action, reprimand, warning or sanction' and neither officer was 'offered, nor required, to undertake additional training '- which was branded 'unacceptable' in the report. It said: 'The absence of any disciplinary action, given the seriousness of the breach, and the possible seriousness of the consequences of it, is incongruous and unacceptable. 'I do not accept, as SPS submitted, that this was within the range of reasonable responses open to governor Michie. 'Rather, it was a response which sends a message to prison officers that they will not be held to account for a failure to 'do the basics well', and a message to the public that the first response of SPS to poor staff practice in the context of the death of a prisoner is to close ranks and protect its own.' 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. Procurator fiscal Andy Shanks said: 'The sheriff's determination, which makes significant recommendations in relation to reduction and prevention and the checking of cells, is extensive and detailed. 'The FAI followed a thorough and comprehensive investigation by the procurator fiscal who ensured that the full facts of Jack's death were presented in evidence. My thoughts remain with Jack's loved ones.' An SPS spokesperson said: 'We would like to offer our sincere condolences and apologies to the family of Jack McKenzie for his sad death and the failings identified in this report. 'We are grateful to Sheriff Collins for his recommendations, which we will fully consider as we continue to deliver systemic change, at pace, in a way which keeps young people in our care safe, during one of the most challenging and vulnerable periods of their lives.'
