Latest news with #SimonBrown
Borneo Post
23-06-2025
- Borneo Post
Man gets 14 months' jail for housebreaking in Sibu
SIBU (June 23): A 23-year-old man was sentenced to 14 months in prison by the Magistrate's Court here today for housebreaking with the intent to commit theft. Magistrate Oon Kork Chern handed down the sentence on Simon Brown, who resides at the Mile 14 army camp along Jalan Oya, after he pleaded guilty to an amended charge under Section 457 of the Penal Code. The offence was committed at around 2.28am on June 9 at a house located at Lorong Kemuyang 5F. According to the facts of the case, the complainant returned home at around 6pm on the same day and found that the gate between her unit and her neighbour's had been cut and a window had been unlocked. Upon further inspection, she discovered one of the rooms had been ransacked, and a laptop and three smartphones were missing. The total loss was estimated at RM3,700. Police arrested the accused the same day and seized a laptop and three smartphones in his possession. Investigations revealed that he was captured on close-circuit television (CCTV) footage around the house of the complainant's neighbour. The complainant was also able to positively identify her laptop and one of the stolen smartphones among the seized items. Prosecution was conducted by ASP Siti Mariyah Dahari while the accused was not represented by legal counsel.
The Herald Scotland
20-06-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Concern as Scots legal aid solicitors cut by 12% since 2022
A Freedom of Information request submitted by The Herald revealed that the number of solicitors and firms has declined each of the last four years. In 2022, 1,281 solicitors and 551 firms were registered to provide legal aid; or 12.4% and 18.3% more than 2025, respectively. The data follows on from a recent survey conducted by the Law Society of Scotland, which revealed that 41% of 200 respondents planned to stop providing legal aid within two years or were unsure whether they would continue. Furthermore, one-third of criminal aid legal solicitors are expected to retire by 2035. Solicitors say Scotland faces a legal aid crisis. (Image: Newsquest) One solicitor who offers legal aid services told the Law Society: 'The system is too time consuming and complex. 'I think 2025 will see a number of firms not re-register to undertake this work as the Government do not seem interested in fixing this.' As the number of registered solicitors continues to decline, the number of Scots seeking legal aid has remained steady. The Scottish Legal Aid Board received 176,667 applications in 2024, down slightly from 2023, when 177,124 applications were lodged. However, these figures have risen by 9.5% since 2022, when 167,974 applications were received. Simon Brown is the president of the Scottish Solicitors Bar Association, which represents criminal solicitors who practise legal aid. He told The Herald: "Our numbers have been decimated in recent years. The Scottish Legal Aid board will tell you that numbers on the criminal register have stabilised in the last few years at just under 800, but this is far from the complete picture. "The number of solicitors that SLAB was able to review for its criminal peer review mechanism (those who take six cases a year) is very low. My understanding is that there are around 450-475 for the whole of Scotland, but around 150-175 of that number are doing 55% of the work. "The other major area of concern is the age profile of criminal solicitors. Around 60% are over 55 and are likely to leave the profession in the next 5-7 years." Read more: 'Domestic abuse victims represent themselves in court amid legal aid crisis' 'It's a tragedy' The human cost of Scotland's legal aid crisis: one mother's story As Justice Secretary, I cut legal aid, but we need to fund it before it's too late Law Society of Scotland President Pat Thom said the organisation was "concerned" but not "surprised" at The Herald's findings. She told The Herald: "These figures show why we have an access to justice crisis in Scotland, with many vulnerable people unable to get the support they need to navigate legal challenges whether they be related to criminal, civil or children's matters." Pointing to the Society's recent survey, she added: "There is no sign of the exodus from legal aid work slowing and we are concerned it will accelerate further in coming years. Pat Thom is president of the Law Society of Scotland. (Image: Law Society of Scotland) Thom also took aim at the Scottish Government, telling The Herald: "The government's actions are falling well short of what's needed to stop the decline in availability of criminal legal aid representation, and the minister is doing even less to address an even sharper decline in firms offering civil legal aid and also a shrinking pool of children's legal aid solicitors. "We were extremely disappointed last week to be offered a below-inflation increase for some criminal legal aid fees, and nothing at all for civil and children's legal aid," Thom added. "With nearly one in five civil legal aid firms dropping out of the system in just three years, it is clear this crisis extends across all three categories on legal aid." Responding to a request for comment, Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhian Brown said: 'The number of solicitors actively involved in criminal legal assistance has remained relatively stable for the last four years, with activity heavily concentrated among the busier solicitors. 'The Scottish Government continues to meet all legal aid costs in full, with expenditure last year reaching £169 million, and a further £14.2m approved in this year's Budget to meet continuing rising costs. Siobhian Brown says the number of active solicitors remains stable. (Image: Gordon Terris) Brown added: "This is on top of the 25% increase, amounting to £31m which included a package of support during Covid that included funding for the recruitment of legal trainees, we have delivered since 2019. 'We have announced action to make the legal aid system simpler and easier for both solicitors and those who need legal assistance. This includes a review of legal aid fees that will help develop regular assessments to ensure the system remains fair and sustainable and delivers for the public purse." The Scottish Government makes a distinction between registered solicitors and 'active' solicitors.
San Francisco Chronicle
10-05-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Wildly creative S.F. chocolatier opening first store on Mother's Day
A San Francisco business known for wildly creative chocolates is opening its first store on Mother's Day. Topogato will arrive at 5203 Geary Blvd. in the Richmond District, the business announced on Instagram, stocked with handmade, stunning creations such as smoked tea peach truffles and a dark chocolate bar filled with roasted bananas and dulce de leche. Each Topogato chocolate is a mini work of art, decorated in psychedelic colors or paint splatters. The Chronicle Food & Wine team named Topogato's chocolates a top holiday gift pick in 2021. Two friends, Simon Brown, a former pastry chef who worked at top San Francisco restaurant Liholiho Yacht Club, and Beau Monroe launched Topogato in 2020, selling their creations at popups and online. (Monroe has since left the business, Brown said; he has a new co-owner in pastry chef Julie Barrette.) Topogato grew a following for unconventional incorporation of ingredients such as preserved lemon, Thai basil and puffed rice. Brown has been searching for a permanent home for the business for a while. The store will carry all of Topogato's popular chocolates, but expect soon more flavors, new confections and possibly baked goods. He also hopes to host events, including popups and wine and cocktail pairings. The store will be open Thursday through Monday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
