Latest news with #MarySmith
Daily Mail
12-07-2025
- Daily Mail
'Army' of police shut down crime boss 'Hotdog' Smith's house on illegal scrapyard as wife says she will be forced to live 'in a TENT'
A 'small army' of police surrounded and shut down a crime boss's illegal home and scrapyard this week as his wife sat by in despair in a move she says will force her to 'live in a tent'. Underworld figure Tommy 'Hotdog' Smith was jailed in 2019 for his role in a nationwide stolen goods and money laundering racket following a covert police operation. While he remains behind bars, Mr Smith's wife Mary was living in a detached eight-bedroom house built on a scrapyard they own in Great Harwood, East Lancashire. But on Monday morning around a dozen police vehicles and 20 uniformed cops descended upon the site on Meadow Street and locked it off, ending years of misery for fed up locals. The vast scrapyard to the back of the house had been at the centre of a growing row following repeated instances of antisocial behaviour, criminal activity and countless fires, prompting fury among nearby residents. Police said 'illegal activity' has been taking place at the sprawling yard, which is also home to a collection of static caravans and stables. One fire linked to the site burned for days and took firefighters 240 hours to put out. One local mum compared the police presence to a 'small army' and said: 'We all know who Tommy is. There has been all sorts going on down there for years, with lots of fires. Let's just say he is a bit of a character.' After a judge granted a closure order on the site, mother-of-four Mrs Smith complained that the order would effectively leave her and her family homeless. Her legal team argued that members of the Smith family should be allowed to live at the house, and that the fires were caused by tenants, according to Lancs Live. The 48-year-old told the court she and her 19-year-old daughter Indiana had purchased a 'two-man tent' and 'that is all', to which the judge asked: 'You have a £1.4million turnover and you are going to live in a tent?' Mrs Smith refuted this, telling Judge Guy Mathieson: 'I don't know what you are talking about, I don't own any business. Sir, I think you have got it wrong. 'My husband has been in jail for the past seven years, I haven't had any business for at least six years.' She argued she has even had to begin claiming benefits, however had not provided any paperwork to support this claim. Mrs Smith's appeal against the order was rejected during the hearing at Preston Crown Court. On Monday, when MailOnline visited the site, the mum was seen wearing a tracksuit, crouched on a kerb outside her home spending much of the time on her phone. When approached by MailOnline she said: 'Some members of the press have violated our personal information. I have no further comment to make.' Earlier in the day a burly man in a tracksuit, who was seen shadow boxing with pals, said to the Mail: 'Mary is not very happy which is no surprise. The newspapers will get nothing from me so why don't you just f*** off.' Officers boarded up the front door to the large detached house, which featured two Roman style stone lions at the entrance. The court order granted by Judge Mathieson prohibits anyone from entering or remaining on the Meadow Street site for three months from July 4 at the risk of arrest, imprisonment and or a fine. The notice reads: 'The owner/occupier will therefore have to find alternative accommodation.' A local councillor who asked not to be named said to the Mail: 'The closure order was the culmination of a long running saga at the scrap yard. 'There have been numerous fires and other issues over recent years. This is now a multi-agency matter involving the police, council, RSPCA and other bodies. 'Unfortunately this appears to be a criminal operation and there is a degree of fear and intimidation around these people. Individuals brave enough to have spoken out have been targeted in the past. Although he is in prison there are still some dangerous people involved.' The couple bought the site on Meadow Street for around £8,000 in 1996. A planning application to build a house on the site was approved in 2010. Smith was jailed for five years in 2017 after police seized a sawn-off shotgun while executing a warrant at his home. He was jailed for six and a half years in 2019 following a complex police operation into stolen goods and money laundering. Preston Crown Court heard how some of the stolen items were tagged under the account name 'Hot Dog Tom'. Mary Smith was jailed for 15 months as part of the same prosecution. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to handle stolen goods and money laundering. Detective Inspector Vinnie De Curtis, of Lancashire Police, said officers 'unearthed a widespread and deliberate conspiracy to steal machinery, vehicles and stock amounting to thousands of pounds' in 2017 linked to Tommy Smith and his associates. 'The audacity of those involved in stealing these items was staggering, with the goods often taken from within secure compounds before being sold on, or taken to auction,' he said. The Mail approached Lancashire Police for a comment on the activity which took place on Monday. A spokesperson said: 'We have served a closure order at an illegal waste site in Great Harwood. 'The order prevents anybody entering or remaining on land at The Oaks on Meadow Street for the next three months. 'Our officers went onto the site yesterday (7th July) with partners to serve the order and ensure it was fully complied with. There were no incidents of any note. 'The closure order was sought after numerous concerns were raised about illegal activity on the site, with significant impact being felt by the local community due to the illegal burning of waste. 'By working closely with partners, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, Hyndburn Borough Council and the Environment Agency, we were able to take legal action.' The order, under Section 80 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, was initially granted at Lancaster Magistrates' Court on 18th February. However, it was postponed after the respondent was granted leave to appeal. That appeal was heard by a Judge at Preston Crown Court on Friday and was refused. ACC Stasia Osiowy, of Lancashire Police said: 'I welcome the granting of this closure order which is the right outcome for a community which has been affected for a long period of time by illegal activity from a set of individuals who believe the law doesn't apply to them. 'I fully understand the frustration felt by local residents and businesses who were impacted by illegal activity sometimes on a daily basis. 'We have been working hard with our partners behind the scenes to bring a resolution to this issue, however we have not always been able to talk about it publicly. 'I hope the serving of this closure order today and our presence at the site yesterday reassures the public that where we identify criminal behaviour of any kind we will work with our partners to bring it to an end. 'The action is part of Op Centurion, which is county-wide crackdown on anti-social behaviour, led by Lancashire Constabulary and backed by the Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw, delivering his Fighting Crime Plan priority of getting tough on anti-social behaviour, with the support of our partners.' Mr Grunshaw said: 'The closure of this site marks a significant and long overdue step forward for the local community. 'Residents have endured persistent anti-social behaviour, criminality, and disruption linked to this location and I commend the coordinated efforts of Lancashire Constabulary and our partners in taking decisive action. 'This outcome demonstrates the power of partnership and the importance of listening to residents' concerns, who have campaigned tirelessly for action. 'Tackling anti-social behaviour is a key priority in my Police and Crime Plan, and Operation Centurion is delivering real results by holding offenders to account and restoring confidence in our communities. 'I want to thank everyone involved in bringing this case to court and securing this outcome.
Entrepreneur
09-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Relocation Scotland Celebrates 30 Years of Guiding Lives Across Countries With Care, Consistency, & Bureaucratic Cognisance
For Mary Smith, founder of Relocation Scotland, relocation has never been about logistics, but something much more profound. It's driven by her desire to help people. Over the last three decades, the company has built relationships with some of the world's most prominent brands, helped families settle into Scotland's breathtaking landscapes, and guided individuals through the emotional, financial, and logistically complex transitions that incomers often face. Now, as Relocation Scotland celebrates its 30-year milestone, it's important to recognize the factors behind what makes the business so enduring, and why, in today's landscape, its value has never been more critical. You're reading Entrepreneur United Kingdom, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Founded in 1995, Relocation Scotland was built from Mary's innate drive to be of service to others. With a background in the relocation sector dating back to her three-year operation in Singapore, she returned to Scotland and quickly identified an unmet need in the market. "It was a natural fit, as I myself understood the complexity of moving to another country, far away from family and friends," Mary says. "Helping people, guiding them, stepping in when everything feels uncertain, that's always been my passion." As she began her venture three decades ago, Mary was ahead of her time. Today, as relocation support is increasingly being sidelined by corporations attempting to cut costs, handing out lump sums to employees and leaving them to manage the move alone, "It sounds empowering, but what it often means is throwing people into the wild west," Mary explains. "They don't know the rental laws, the school systems, the healthcare differences between the countries. They're overwhelmed before they've even opened a box." The complexities of the Scottish housing market only further exacerbate this challenge. Since the introduction of various regulations, landlords have faced a plethora of unprecedented barriers. "Leases are now open-ended, meaning there's no end date. Tenants can now move in, and on day one, give 28 days' notice, and no one can do anything about it," Mary states. With higher taxes on second homes and buy-to-let properties, the knock-on effect becomes complicated. With these impeding factors in the picture, Mary has witnessed fewer rental properties, more uncertainty, and a volatile environment for both locals and incomers. "We're seeing landlords sell up. There's simply no incentive to stay in the market," Mary explains. "It's never been harder to find a rental property. For someone arriving from abroad, especially with a family, that can be incredibly stressful." And here's precisely where Relocation Scotland brings their multifaceted resources, helping newcomers navigate not only through Scotland's towering mountains and glittering lochs but also tend to them holistically. More than just property finders, the company acts as a guide, fixer, project manager, and above all, a trusted partner. "We're often in contact with the client before they even arrive," Mary says. "We prepare in advance, manage expectations, and teach them about the laws, the health services, and the education systems. Scotland has its own laws, different from the rest of the UK, and it's vital that newcomers understand this." Over the years, the company has handled everything from school placements to emergency repairs. "We're there when the bridge breaks down, when the dog needs a vet, and when the children are struggling to settle in," Mary smiles. "And we're still there years later when they are departing for their next assignment." Her approach is rooted in empathy, but it's backed by a sharp hold on industry trends. Mary and her team stay attuned to regulatory changes, housing shifts, and economic fluctuations. That agility, combined with their profound care, is what's kept the business thriving for 30 years. Mary attributed the longevity of the company to trust, consistency, and genuine impact. "People come back to us. They refer to us. And it's not just because we're efficient, it's because we care." Relocation Scotland has been prosperous in selling Scotland's beauty while guiding them through the rough parts, including the bureaucracy, the culture shock, and especially the fears. Aside from waxing lyrical about Scotland's rich history, the lush landscapes, and the lochs, Mary's efforts are embedded in being a pillar of support through the emotional and operational highs and lows of relocating. "Moving can be hard on many, and most times people just need someone in their corner," she says. That someone, for countless clients over the past three decades, has been the Relocation Scotland team. After 30 years in the industry, Relocation Scotland has established that its services go way beyond its name. It isn't just about moving countries and properties, but helping people find their home away from home. Relocation Scotland is here to support them through every step of this process, and for Mary, that's a legacy worth celebrating. To grow its reach and maintain its legacy, Relocation Scotland is always open to the right strategic partnership.
BBC News
08-07-2025
- BBC News
Great Harwood Scrapyard blighted by complaints ordered to close
A scrapyard has been temporarily shut down by police amid complaints about anti-social behaviour and nuisance Guy Mathieson granted a full closure order for the site on Meadow Street in Great Harwood, Lancashire, for three months including forcing its residents off the rejected an appeal by the owner of the the judge's decision Lancashire Police said it had moved in to secure the site, which has for many years been subject to complaints from the community. Previous enforcement orders at the site have failed to stop the unlawful activity including illegal waste collection and court order confirmed on Friday bans anyone from entering or remaining on the site for three months from 4 July at the risk of arrest, imprisonment or a Mary Smith argued in court the order would make her and her family homeless, the Local Democracy Reporting Service April 2020, Mrs Smith was declared bankrupt following a petition from Hyndburn Mathieson's closure order allows more than 100 officials from the police, council, RSPCA and Environment Agency to move in for a large scale operation to secure the site and prevent occupants from Smith has been approached for comment while Hyndburn Council declined to respond. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
RNZ News
08-07-2025
- RNZ News
Julia DeLuney's apartment searched for clothing, proof of crypto trading, jury told
Julia DeLuney in the High Court. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii The jury in murder trial of Helen Gregory has heard how police searched the apartment of her daughter, Julia DeLuney, for clothing and evidence of cryptocurrency trading. The search of the Paraparaumu address took place nearly three weeks after 79-year-old Gregory was killed in her Khandallah home. A number of items were seized, including two green Michael Kors handbags, one with blood on it, a pink macbook, white Mi Piaci shoes, four SD cards, two diaries, her car - a Citroen - and a waste management bin. Detective constable Mary Smith told the court they were partly guided in their search by a CCTV image of DeLuney putting petrol in a car, wearing light blue jeans and a neon green shirt, which has also been shown to the jury. Smith said a full itemised list of women's clothing was made during the search, and their task of identifying women's items from men's was made easier by a clear distinction between the apartment's two bedrooms - one containing men's items, and the other, women's. By the time her apartment was searched, police had already been analysing data from DeLuney's cellphone. More information on this is expected later in the trial. The Crown's case is that DeLuney murdered her mother in a violent attack, before staging it to look like a fall from the attic, on the evening of 24 January 2024. But the defence's case is that another person caused those fatal injuries in a 90-minute window in which DeLuney said she left her mother - at this point only minorly injured from that fall - on the floor of a bedroom, to fetch her husband from their Paraparaumu home to help. The trial is in its third week, and is expected to go on for a further two at least. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scottish Sun
05-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Wife of crime boss ‘Hotdog' to ‘live in tent' when illegal scrap yard is shut down as she's kicked out of 8-bed home
Mrs Smith's lawyers claimed aspects of the ruling were unfair SCRAP THAT Wife of crime boss 'Hotdog' to 'live in tent' when illegal scrap yard is shut down as she's kicked out of 8-bed home Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE wife of a crime boss has claimed she may have to live in a tent when she is evicted by authorities next week. Mary Smith, 48, and her husband Tommy 'Hotdog' Smith will be imminently booted from their eight bedroom detached house in Great Harwood, Lancashire. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Mary Smith says she will need to live in a tent when she is evicted from her Lancashire home next week Credit: MEN Media 2 The wife of crime boss Tommy 'Hotdog' Smith said she was not connected to those engaged in criminal acts on the scrapyard Credit: MEN Media The couple's site is also stacked with static caravans and stables for dozens of horses. Those occupying the land will be evicted after a court order was issued by Judge Guy Mathieson following a spate of criminality, including illegal waste collection and fires. In May, firefighters spent several days putting out raging fires outside the illegal scrapyard after illegal waste was dumped in the area. And following reports of a disturbance at the site on Bonfire Night in November, cops were attacked with fireworks as they attempted to defuse the issue. Mrs Smith's lawyers accepted the justification for the order, but argued the welfare of the couple's children and animal should be highlighted and argued for partial closure. This was swiftly rejected by Judge Mathieson. Mrs Smith alleged that tenants she had previously evicted were responsible for the fires and that she had no affiliation with them after Mr Smith was jailed seven years ago. Judge Mathieson said: "This closure order has been hanging over you for six months or more. In the event we make a full closure order, what thought processes and what plans have you put in place?" Mrs Smith replied: "Me and my daughter Indiana have bought a tent, a two man tent. That is all." The judge asked: "You have a £1.4 million turnover and you are going to live in a tent?" Neighbours vs. New Builds: The Bradford Planning Showdown Mrs Smith replied: "I don't know what you are talking about. I don't own any business. Sir, I think you have got it wrong. "My husband has been in jail for the past seven years, I haven't had any business for at least six years. "At the moment sir, I have had to sign on benefits." Mark Chester, representing Lancashire Constabulary, said there was a 'staggering' list of previous enforcement action going back 'years' to tackle issues on the site. He said: "None of these measures have had the necessary effect and what is very clear is that as soon as these orders lapse, the lucrative business of waste management continues. "This has been years of misery being heaped on local residents." He added that neighbours were unable to open their windows due to "putrid smells" coming from the site, with some suffering breathing difficulties. Judge Mathieson granted a full closure order meaning more than 100 officials from the police, council, RSPCA and Environment Agency will move in to secure the site and prevent occupants from access. He said: "The fact is, the occupants of this site have done nothing to address the reasons behind the closure order. They have, either directly or indirectly by letting their tenants, continue to commit nuisance and continue to operate a highly profitable business. "The only way to ensure the cessation of this is to grant a full closure order."
