
Tuesday court round-up — 'You're a big boy now' and murder bid charge
A woman has been fined £360 after gaining thousands of pounds in a two-year benefit fraud.
, 25, failed to report to the Department of Work and Pensions she had received three substantial sums of month while living at an address in Kirkcaldy.
As a result she claimed £8700 of Universal Credit to which she was not entitled.
Thornton, now of Glasgow, admitted committing the fraud between February 2021 and May 2023.
A controlling serial rapist who attacked two women over a three-year period in Dundee has been remanded in custody after being found guilty in a high court trial. , 25, was convicted of multiple rapes, violent domestic abuse and sexual assaults between 2018 and 2021 at addresses in the city and elsewhere.
A serial thief who stole a Kelty pensioner's car from outside her home has been given a chance to avoid prison.
accelerated away in the 65-year-old's Vauxhall Adam while her back was turned for just a few minutes.
The vehicle was abandoned in another town some 15 miles away.
Wells, 22, previously pled guilty to working with others to steal the car from outside his victim's cottage on June 23 2022.
He further admitted his role in the theft of two other vehicles in the Crieff area later that year.
Returning to Perth Sheriff Court for sentencing, Wells was commended for progress he had made with social workers' support since his last appearance in March.
Sheriff William Wood deferred sentence for six months for Wells to prove he can keep out of trouble.
He said: 'There are signs of positivity in this report before me but jail would still be an option – maybe not a likelihood but still an option.'
'You are a big boy now. It's time to take control and think about what kind of life you are wanting to have.
'It's not too late to turn things around.'
Wells, from Edinburgh, will be sentenced in November.
Two men have been sentenced after pleading guilty to stashing £20,000 worth of cocaine in a Methil garage. and previously admitted being concerned in the Class A drug's supply between October and November 2023.
A teenage cocaine dealer caught by police with a modified imitation firearm and 'blanks' will be sentenced next month.
, now 18, was brought from Rossie in Montrose, where he is remanded, to Dundee Sheriff Court to admit a string of offences.
He admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine between March and June last year at various locations in the city.
On 7 March 2024, he was caught with a knife and a modified imitation firearm at a pathway at Ogilvie's Close on Dundee's Nethergate.
The top-venting blank-firing pistol had been modified by being painted black.
On June 30, officers seized ammunition from his home in McAlpine Road, Dundee, and he admitted having 'blank' ammunition without the required permission of the Secretary of State.
McLeod also admitted later breaching a bail curfew.
Sheriff Paul Brown refused the teenager's bid to be liberated again and continued his remand while background reports and a risk assessment are prepared.
Solicitor Jim Laverty said his client had had a 'wake-up call'.
A fraudster conned the Scottish Government and a top building society out of more than £130,000 to fraudulently buy property in Perth. produced fake bank statements and gave bogus income details to secure funding for a three-bedroom home in the city.
, 31, from Fife, appeared in private at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court accused of assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement, danger of life and attempted murder.
He also faced charges of assault to injury and having a bladed item in a public place without lawful authority.
Nelson made no plea and was remanded in custody. The case was continued for further examination.
The appearance came after Police Scotland said two people – a 38-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman – were taken to hospital following an incident at Lawrence Court, Buckhaven on Saturday May 10.

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Wales Online
13 hours ago
- Wales Online
Couple claimed Universal Credit despite owning second home worth £170,000
Couple claimed Universal Credit despite owning second home worth £170,000 A judge told the couple that 'stealing from the state is not an insignificant matter' Vivian Park Drive, Pot Talbot (Image: Google ) A couple applying for benefits did not disclose that they owned a second property which they were renting out, a court has heard. As a result of the fraud the couple pocketed £48,500 in universal credit over a four-year period Swansea Crown Court heard the application for benefit payments by Brian and Frances Rowe was "fraudulent from the outset". A judge told the pair that "stealing from the state is not an insignificant matter" and their offending crossed the threshold for a custodial sentence. Ryan Bowen, prosecuting, told the court that in February, 2019, the Rowes made a claim for the universal credit benefit declaring they had savings, investments of capital of less than £6,000. The claim was approved, and the first payment was made the following month. The court heard the couple had not declared that Brian Rowe owned a second property on the street where they lived, and had done for some 20 years. When the couple made the application for benefit the second house was worth around £170,000 which would have made them ineligible for universal credit. Article continues below The prosecutor said that in December, 2013, a claim for housing benefit had been made in respect of the second property with Mrs Rowe being named as the landlord, and he said the rent on that property had been £500 per month. The court heard that as a result of the false declaration made by the defendants, between February, 2019, and August, 2023, the couple received £48,517 in overpayments they were not entitled to. The prosecutor said it was the crown's case that the claim for universal credit had been "fraudulent from the outset". For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter Brian Rowe, aged 63, and Frances Rowe, aged 58, both of Vivian Park Drive, Port Talbot, had previously pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances when they appeared in the dock. Brian Rowe has one previous conviction for one offence of criminal damage; Frances Rowe has no previous convictions. Huw Davies, representing both defendants, said the couple had re-mortgaged their home to raise money and had already started paying back what they owed. Judge Geraint Walters said it was clear from what he had read that the motivation for the offending had been financial, with Brian Rowe being unable to work at the time of the application due to ill-health leaving the couple with just Frances Rowe's income. The judge said "stealing from the state is not an insignificant matter" and the offending crossed the custody threshold but he said on a proper application of the sentencing guidelines he could not justify a sentence of immediate custody even if he wanted to impose it. With one-third discounts for their guilty pleas the defendants were each sentenced to six months in prison suspended for two years. Article continues below A hearing will be held on June 24 to set a proceeds of crime timetable or to deal with the issue of confiscation and repayments.


STV News
2 days ago
- STV News
Pensioner struck worker while trying to overtake bin lorry on narrow road
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Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Daily Mirror
DWP issues urgent warning to millions who claim benefits
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