Duncan Campbell obituary: prominent crime reporter
He was instantly more fascinated by the stories of the inmates than by the prospect of a moon landing, which was still seven years away. How had a well-spoken, well-educated man ended up behind bars, and how did he relate to the violent thugs from the Glaswegian gangs who wereserving time alongside him for stabbing and worse? A
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BBC News
13 minutes ago
- BBC News
Use organised crime cash to fight crime, watchdog says
Money raised from seized criminal assets should be directly reinvested in efforts to fight organised crime, a police watchdog has said. HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS), Craig Naylor, called for the change following a wave of gangland disorder. He praised Police Scotland's response, and said the centralisation of the force had helped to tackle organised crime. However, Mr Naylor said further action was needed at a time of "increasing demand" on officers. In an annual report, HMICS said the Scottish government should consider an "asset recovery incentivisation scheme" that would allow Police Scotland – and other agencies – to use money raised from criminals' assets to combat crime.A similar scheme is already in operation across the rest of the UK. Mr Naylor's report found that more than £10m was recovered in Scotland using Proceeds of Crime legislation in 2023-24. While this money is not directly funnelled back to the police, it can be used for the government's CashBack for Communities programme, which provides free activities and programmes for young people – including those at risk of offending or reoffending. Mr Naylor said: "In England, Northern Ireland and Wales, Proceeds of Crime Act reporting agencies can and do receive money from the proceeds recovered from crime under the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (Aris)."The Home Office encourages agencies to invest Aris funds into areas that will increase asset recovery or, where appropriate, to fund local crime fighting priorities."This process is not applicable in Scotland."At a time of increasing demand, I would be encouraged to see conversations to consider if some funding could be released from seized assets to bolster the fight against organised crime – and maintain Scotland's position as a top performer in this area." In other parts of the UK, criminal assets worth £243.3m were seized in 2023-24. Of that total, £98.1m was distributed to agencies, including police forces, to fund crime to tackle organised crime in Scotland have been ramped up in recent months following an outbreak of gangland activity. Assaults, shootings and fire bombings across the central belt have so far led to more than 50 arrests. The Scottish Prison Service said it was having to play "a daily game of chess" in its jails to keep violent rivals apart. Organised crime threat The HMICS report found that the merging of Scotland's eight police forces into one centralised agency - a process that took place in 2013 - had "undoubtedly strengthened its ability to effectively tackle the threat from organised crime groups".Mr Naylor also said a new policing act passed by the Scottish Parliament in March addressed concerns raised by HMICS about vetting officers, granting the chief constable the power to dismiss any officer who cannot meet maintain standards. However, he warned "too little consideration" had been given to the effects of the legislation", including the financial impact. Police Scotland said it was open to discussion on changes to how proceeds of crime can be used.A spokesperson said: "The process in place in other parts of the United Kingdom and further afield where seized assets and money is reinvested can be seen to have significant impact on the efforts to tackle serious and organised crime."Justice Secretary Angela Constance welcomed the report's praise for Police Scotland, and the conclusion that the centralisation of the force had strengthened efforts to tackle organised said money recovered through proceeds of crime legislation was primarily used to fund community projects "aimed at diverting young people away from crime".Constance added that since 2008 more than £156m of "ill-gotten gains" had been distributed through the CashBack for Communities scheme, supporting 1.4m young people.
Daily Mail
43 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Bombshell admission from high profile doctor who killed a young Uber passenger while drunk behind the wheel of his luxury Jaguar
An obstetrician who allegedly crashed his high-powered car at 130km/h while almost four times over the legal alcohol limit has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Perth obstetrician Rhys Henry Stone Bellinge, 45, on Wednesday admitted the manslaughter of Elizabeth Pearce on February 15. The 24-year-old was an Uber passenger in a Honda Jazz hatchback struck by Bellinge's blue Jaguar sedan in Perth's leafy riverside suburb of Dalkeith. The father of two also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm while under the influence of alcohol over the injuries to Muhammad Usman. The 25-year-old Uber driver suffered two broken legs and arm injuries in the collision. Bellinge, who has reportedly struggled in custody while on remand, appeared via video link from Casuarina maximum-security prison. Wearing a prison-issued green tracksuit, Bellinge was sullen as he confirmed he understood the charges before entering a guilty plea to each charge in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court. A charge of driving under the influence of alcohol was discontinued by the court at the prosecution's request. The Uber was struck by Bellinge's blue Jaguar sedan in the leafy riverside suburb of Dalkeith in February. Pictured is the crash scene Bellinge's wealthy father, Bruce Bellinge, was in the court to hear his son's pleas. The court was previously told Bellinge had been drinking while watching football on television at his father's home before he climbed into his high-powered car and attempted to drive home about 10pm. Dashcam footage showed Bellinge's car reached a speed of about 130km/h before the driver lost control, crossed to the wrong side of the road, and collided with the Honda. Ms Pearce later died in hospital from her injuries. Bellinge allegedly had a blood alcohol reading of 0.183 and was recorded apologising after the crash at the scene. He suffered spinal injuries in the incident and had been experiencing 'mental upset' following his recent marriage breakdown. Other dashcam footage previously played to the court showed Bellinge driving at speeds above 100km/h in a 40km zone days before the crash that killed Ms Pearce. Bellinge also allegedly recorded yelling vitriolic profanities about his estranged wife on the night of the crash and in another recording. He was denied bail during a hospital bed court hearing in the weeks after Ms Pearce was killed and could be heard crying and sobbing over an audio link.
Times
3 hours ago
- Times
Court Circular: August 18, 2025
Balmoral Castle18th August, 2025 The King arrived at Balmoral Castle this morning, was received by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire (Mr Alexander Manson) and then inspected the Royal Guard found by Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
