Latest news with #MargaretHenderson
Sunday World
05-07-2025
- Sunday World
Killer sex worker ‘Maggie Headbutt' turns up late to sentencing for carrying weapon
Sympathetic judge to consider her for strict programme run by special court to help drug addicts A killer is to be considered for an intensive addiction treatment programme ahead of being sentenced for carrying a weapon in Belfast city centre. Margaret Henderson (39), known as 'Maggie Headbutt', was arrested with a broken bottle at Royal Avenue on April 17. She pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon in a public place at Belfast Magistrates Court in May. Henderson initially failed to appear for sentencing at Laganside Courthouse on Thursday, prompting District Judge Anne Marshall to issue an arrest warrant. After she showed up nearly two hours late, her defence requested she be assessed by the Substance Misuse Court (SMC), which takes an alternative approach to help offenders. Maggie 'Headbutt' Henderson leaving court Judge Marshall was told the defendant had been experiencing 'severe migraines' and currently lives outside of Belfast. A request was made to 'respectfully give her one more chance'. Offenders dealt with through the SMC must follow a rigorous treatment programme, and maintain consistent contact with probation staff and healthcare professionals. They are under the supervision of a judge throughout the entire process, and are subject to scheduled and unannounced drug and alcohol tests. Successful completion of the programme will be taken into account at sentencing. Judge Marshall told her: 'I'm not overly optimistic, Ms Henderson, about your prospects on that, given the failure to go to probation and being late today. Margaret Henderson Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 5th 'It's quite an intense programme with quite a lot of requirements, but I'll give you a chance. Prove me wrong and show me you're suitable for it.' Henderson was then remanded on continuing bail by consent, and the judge will assess her for a substance misuse court referral on July 17. Henderson, of The Mount in Belfast, was previously sentenced to six years for what the judge in the case described as a 'horrific' killing. Victim Eddie Girvan (67) was found bound, gagged and stabbed in his Greenisland home in January 2016. Initially charged with murder, Henderson later pleaded guilty to manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility. The court heard she was under the influence of heroin and crystal meth at the time. Eddie Girvan Her defence argued her life had spiralled into chaos following the cot death of her infant daughter, leading to long-term drug abuse. Henderson was arrested after crashing Mr Girvan's car in Belfast. She had the key to the vehicle in her possession, and a GPS device linked her to the victim's address. After several failed attempts to contact Mr Girvan, officers forced entry to his home and discovered his body. The pensioner had been tied to a chair, with a necktie around his throat and a large ball of kitchen roll stuffed in his mouth. He had suffered two stab wounds, and medical experts said either knife wound or the gag would have been fatal on their own. Despite the brutality of the crime, Mr Justice Treacy accepted the findings of two forensic psychologists who concluded Henderson did not pose a significant ongoing threat to the public. Henderson was handed a six-year sentence, with three years in custody and the remainder on licence. She earned her nickname after her extensive criminal history was revealed in court, which included more than 100 convictions, with many involving violent headbutt attacks on men, women, children and elderly people. After completing her sentence for the manslaughter of Mr Girvan, Henderson was recalled to prison following a shoplifting offence which led to her licence being revoked. During her time behind bars she was convicted again — this time for assaulting another inmate. She received an additional six-month sentence. In recent years Henderson drew further attention by publicly sharing details of her relationship with fellow offender Laura Nicholl. Posting a photo of them kissing, Henderson gushed: 'Loving my life and my baby, life is better when you got someone to share it with.' This article was amended on Friday, June 4 to edit the District Judge's name
Scotsman
01-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Edinburgh property investors face growing tax scrutiny as HMRC campaign intensifies
Former tax inspector publishes analysis revealing scale of compliance challenges for capital's landlords amid rising enforcement Sign up to our daily newsletter 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... Edinburgh property investors are facing heightened scrutiny from tax authorities as HMRC intensifies enforcement activities targeting undeclared rental income, with new analysis revealing the scale of compliance challenges affecting landlords across the capital. A detailed examination of HMRC's Let Property Campaign by former senior tax inspector Amit Puri shows the revenue authority has collected nearly £250 million over the past decade from landlords who failed to properly declare rental income though this falls short of the original £500 million target. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The analysis comes at a particularly challenging time for Edinburgh landlords, who face additional tax burdens including the increased Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS) rate of 8% on rental property purchases, up from 6% as of December 2024. Traditional Edinburgh residential properties representing the capital's rental market where property investors face growing HMRC tax scrutiny, with the Let Property Campaign collecting nearly £250 million from landlords while Scotland's Additional Dwelling Supplement rate increases to 8%. Edinburgh Rental Market Pressures The tax enforcement intensification coincides with significant challenges for Edinburgh's private rental sector, where landlords are increasingly exiting the market due to what industry experts describe as "excessive taxation and ongoing costly legislation changes." Edinburgh landlords must navigate a complex tax landscape that includes Scottish Income Tax rates, UK-wide rental income taxation, and Scotland-specific property taxes including Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) and the Additional Dwelling Supplement. "Edinburgh landlords face a uniquely challenging tax environment compared to other parts of the UK," explains Margaret Henderson, tax specialist at Edinburgh-based accountancy firm Clan Gordon. "They're dealing with Scottish Income Tax rates that can be higher than elsewhere in the UK, combined with additional Scottish property taxes that don't exist south of the border." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The capital's property market, with its mix of historic tenements, modern developments, and student accommodation, presents particular compliance complexities for landlords managing diverse portfolios. HMRC Campaign Performance Puri's analysis, published by Pure Tax: Tax Investigation Specialists, reveals that HMRC's Let Property Campaign has processed thousands of voluntary disclosures since 2013, with penalties ranging from 0% to 35% for those who come forward voluntarily, compared to up to 100% for those investigated without prior disclosure. The campaign specifically targets landlords who have failed to declare rental income properly, with HMRC estimating that up to 1.5 million UK landlords may not be fully compliant a figure that would include significant numbers of Edinburgh property investors. "The data shows that voluntary disclosure remains the most cost-effective approach for landlords with compliance issues," notes Puri. "However, the window for favorable treatment continues to narrow as enforcement activities increase." Edinburgh-Specific Challenges Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Edinburgh landlords face particular compliance complexities due to the interplay between reserved UK tax powers and devolved Scottish taxation. Rental income is subject to Scottish Income Tax rates, which can be higher than equivalent English rates for middle and higher earners. The capital's rental market dynamics, including Festival season premium rents and student accommodation cycles, create additional compliance considerations that tax specialists recommend addressing proactively. Recent changes to Scottish tax policy have created additional burdens. The increased ADS rate means Edinburgh property investors now pay 8% additional tax on rental property purchases, compared to 3% Stamp Duty surcharge in England. The Scottish Association of Landlords has called for the ADS to be paused, arguing that continued tax increases are driving investors away from the sector and exacerbating housing supply issues in Edinburgh. Enforcement Trends Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad HMRC has significantly expanded its investigation capabilities, with plans to recruit 5,000 additional tax officials over five years to help close the estimated £39.9 billion annual tax gap. Tax crime prosecutions reached a three-year high of 300 cases by September 2024. For Edinburgh landlords, this enhanced enforcement comes alongside existing pressures from Revenue Scotland, which handles devolved taxes including LBTT and ADS compliance. Edinburgh's buoyant property market, with regular rent reviews and high property values, makes the city particularly attractive for HMRC investigations into potential under-declaration of rental income. Professional Guidance Professional advice has become increasingly important for Edinburgh property investors navigating both UK-wide rental income taxation and Scotland's distinctive property tax framework. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Local tax specialists report increasing inquiries from Edinburgh landlords concerned about compliance, particularly those managing properties in the city center where Festival lettings and short-term accommodation regulations add complexity. The combination of increased HMRC activity and Scotland-specific tax obligations creates a complex compliance environment that tax specialists recommend addressing proactively rather than reactively. Edinburgh's status as a major tourist destination and university city creates unique rental income patterns that require careful tax planning and compliance management.
Scotsman
17-06-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Scottish property investors face increased HMRC scrutiny as tax enforcement Intensifies
Former revenue inspector publishes analysis highlighting compliance challenges for Scotland's landlords amid rising penalties. Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, 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... Scottish property investors are facing heightened scrutiny from tax authorities as HMRC intensifies enforcement activities targeting undeclared rental income, with new analysis revealing the scale of compliance challenges affecting landlords across Scotland. A detailed examination of HMRC's Let Property Campaign by former senior tax inspector Amit Puri shows the revenue authority has collected nearly £250 million over the past decade from landlords who failed to properly declare rental income though this falls short of the original £500 million target. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The analysis comes at a particularly challenging time for Scottish landlords, who face additional tax burdens including the increased Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS) rate of 8% on rental property purchases, up from 6% as of December 2024. Scottish residential properties representing the rental market facing increased HMRC scrutiny, as tax authorities intensify enforcement targeting undeclared rental income amid rising compliance challenges for Scotland's landlords. Scottish Rental Market Under Pressure The tax enforcement intensification coincides with significant challenges for Scotland's private rental sector, where landlords are increasingly exiting the market due to what the Scottish Association of Landlords describes as "excessive taxation and ongoing costly legislation changes." Scottish landlords must navigate a complex tax landscape that includes Scottish Income Tax rates, UK-wide rental income taxation, and Scotland-specific property taxes including Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) and the Additional Dwelling Supplement. "Scottish landlords face a uniquely challenging tax environment compared to other parts of the UK," explains Margaret Henderson, tax specialist at Henderson Loggie in Edinburgh. "They're dealing with Scottish Income Tax rates that can be higher than elsewhere in the UK, combined with additional Scottish property taxes that don't exist south of the border." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Edinburgh and Glasgow, as Scotland's largest rental markets, have seen particular scrutiny from both HMRC enforcement activities and local compliance requirements. HMRC Campaign Performance Puri's analysis, published by London-based Pure Tax, reveals that HMRC's Let Property Campaign has processed thousands of voluntary disclosures since 2013, with penalties ranging from 0% to 35% for those who come forward voluntarily, compared to up to 100% for those investigated without prior disclosure. The campaign specifically targets landlords who have failed to declare rental income properly, with HMRC estimating that up to 1.5 million UK landlords may not be fully compliant a figure that would include significant numbers of Scottish property investors. "The data shows that voluntary disclosure remains the most cost-effective approach for landlords with compliance issues," notes Puri, who spent 10 years at HMRC before establishing his tax investigation practice. "However, the window for favorable treatment continues to narrow as enforcement activities increase." Scottish-Specific Challenges Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scottish landlords face particular compliance complexities due to the interplay between reserved UK tax powers and devolved Scottish taxation. Rental income is subject to Scottish Income Tax rates, which can be higher than equivalent English rates for middle and higher earners. Recent changes to Scottish tax policy have created additional burdens. The increased ADS rate means Scottish property investors now pay 8% additional tax on rental property purchases, compared to 3% Stamp Duty surcharge in England. The Scottish Association of Landlords has called for the ADS to be paused, arguing that continued tax increases are driving investors away from the sector and exacerbating housing supply issues. Enforcement Trends HMRC has significantly expanded its investigation capabilities, with plans to recruit 5,000 additional tax officials over five years to help close the estimated £39.9 billion annual tax gap. Tax crime prosecutions reached a three-year high of 300 cases by September 2024. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad For Scottish landlords, this enhanced enforcement comes alongside existing pressures from Revenue Scotland, which handles devolved taxes including LBTT and ADS compliance. The combination of increased HMRC activity and Scotland-specific tax obligations creates a complex compliance environment that tax specialists recommend addressing proactively rather than reactively.
CBC
11-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- CBC
Vegan brunch ideas for Mother's Day
What do you love to eat for your Mother's Day Brunch? Margaret Henderson loves omelettes, scrambled eggs, hash browns and sausages. But the ones she eats are all made with plants! She joins host Shauna Powers with some tips and tricks for making a brunch to remember for the plant-based people in your life. Margaret is a member of Animal Save Movement Saskatoon and an advocate for the Plant-Based Treaty.
