Where is The Orkney Assassin Michael Ross now?
THE Orkney Assassin, Michael Ross, was just 15 years old when he murdered waiter Shamsuddin Mahmood.
On June 2 1994,
2
The waiter was murdered at an Indian restaurant in front of terrified diners
Credit: PA:Press Association
Where is Michael Ross now?
Ross was originally questioned by police six months after the murder of the 26-year-old waiter, but prosecutors ruled there was not enough evidence to charge the teenager.
In the following summer, Ross left the island of Orkney, where he was born, and 17 joined the Scottish regiment.
From there, he progressed through the ranks and became a decorated Black Watch sniper after serving a tour of duty in Iraq.
Read More on Michael Ross
But on June 20 2008, he was brought to justice in the High Court in Glasgow.
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Michael Ross, accused of murder, arriving at Glasgow High Court.
Credit: PA:Press Association
During his guilty verdict, Ross, dramatically tried to flee by jumping out of the dock and knocking over the security guard.
Now 47 years old, Ross
As a result, he was sentenced to two years in prison to run alongside his life term of which he has served 17 years so far.
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What happened to Shamsuddin Mahmood?
The murder of Shamsuddin Mahmood took place on June 2, 1994 when he was fatally shot after a man wearing a balaclava entered Mumataz Restaurant in Kirkwall at around 7.10pm and exited the premises shortly after.
Shamsuddin had arrived in Orkney only six weeks before and had plans to return to Bangladesh to marry his fiancée.
Shamsuddin's murder was the first to take place on the island in 25 years and during the original investigation, 2,736 statements were taken.
Ross' mother Moira, recounted the time Michael came home from the police station when he was 16 years old.
She went upstairs and asked whether he had shot Shamsuddin six months before, which he denied.
During the investigation, Edmund Ross' career as a police officer ended after he lied about the fact that he owned identical bullets to those used in the murder weapon.
Edmund Ross was subsequently jailed for four years in 1997 for perverting the course of justice.
It is reported that Michael Ross' earliest possible release is in 2035.
How to watch The Orkney Assassin: Murder In The Isles
Amazon Prime Video has released a special titled The Orkney Assassin: Murder In The Isles, providing insight from law enforcement officers, eyewitnesses, journalists, and also interviews with Ross' parents, who maintain his innocence.
The first episode aired on Sunday,
June 8 2025.
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The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I saw arrogant Mick Philpott carry out sick plot to emerge as the ‘hero' before torching home & burning kids alive
WHEN Mick Philpott burned his six children to death in a family home, horrified parents struggled to comprehend what kind of monster could commit such a sickening crime. Now, a Sun investigation has uncovered new evidence of his botched game plan to play the 'hero' by rescuing his kids from the flames, and how he desperately tried to deflect the blame as his doomed 12 The scene after the fire at Victory Road, Allenton, in 2012 Credit: Handout 12 Mick Philpott and wife Mairead speak to the media after the fire Credit: PA:Press Association 12 Philpott's six children who died Speaking for the first time in our brand new series, Scene of the Crime, the killer's traumatised neighbours shine fresh light on what really happened before and after that tragic night 13 years ago. On the day before he Haunted by the memory of the children's blackened bodies, she emotionally tells how they "paid the price of their father's "arrogance and stupidity". Meanwhile, another resident on Victory Road reveals how she and her partner were called 'child murderers' in the street after cops held her and her partner for 72 hours - as shameless Philpott scrambled to pin the blame on THEM for his crimes. The furious locals paint a grotesque picture of the convicted mass killer, who we recently revealed was In extraordinary detail, they tell how he acted with impunity, seeing himself saw himself as 'God's gift', and paraded up and down the street often dressed in little more than a pair of turquoise speedos. Dinner lady Pearl Turner was in her garden when she spotted her next-door neighbour, Philpott, setting up the ladders at the back of his home. Pearl, who lived next door to the family for several years, claimed that he'd planned to climb them once he'd set the house ablaze, and help pull his kids to safety. The dad - who had previously appeared on the Jeremy Kyle Show - had concocted the arson scheme to pin on former mistress Lisa Willis who he was due to face in court over access to his four kids with her. But in a tragic turn of events, he had forgotten to unlock their bedroom windows, leaving them trapped inside the burning building. Evil dad Mick Philpott who killed six children in a horror blaze left 'battered and bruised' in brutal jail beating The fire claimed the lives of Duwayne, 13, Jade, 10, John, nine, Jack, seven, Jesse, six, and Jayden, five. Only Duwayne, the eldest, managed to escape the house alive, before he too died from his injuries in hospital days later. Both Philpott and his wife Mairead, who supported his plan, were eventually arrested on May 29 2012, initially for murder, although charges were later changed to manslaughter. Haunting memories Thirteen years on, Pearl is still traumatised by the memory of seeing the Now 78 and retired, she was still living next door to where the tragedy unfolded when The Sun revisited the scene of the killings. Breaking her silence on the horrific fire, she says: 'I'll never get the sight of them lying there out of my head." She shared heartbreaking details about the night of the fire but also offered insight into the extraordinary lengths Philpott had gone to in order to ensure he emerged as a hero. She added: 'I was in my garden the day before the fire and Philpott came home with two sets of ladders. 'He initially placed them against my wall at the back, then moved them off and positioned them very carefully underneath the two upstairs windows at the rear of his house. They were the children's bedrooms. 12 New homes were built on the street after the Philpott home was demolished in September 2013 Credit: Roland Leon 12 Philpott and Mairead appearing on This Morning in 2006 Credit: Rex 12 The landing of the house in Derby after the fire where six children died Credit: Handout 'As soon as I saw those two ladders leaning up against our wall, I knew the crafty sod was up to something, but never in a million years would I have worked out the evil plan he had in mind. 'I knew he hadn't brought the ladders home to do any DIY or a spot of house maintenance because he was useless and lazy. I'd never seen any ladders at his property before. 'As soon as I became aware their house was on fire, it became clear to me what his purpose with the ladders had been. He'd planned to use them to climb up to their windows and rescue them so he could play the hero. 'But he forgot the bedroom windows had locks on them and in the panic and chaos of the fire, with smoke everywhere, those poor children weren't able to open the windows and died. "They paid the price of their father's arrogance and stupidity. It was all such a needless, tragic waste. 'They were lovely, polite kids. They always waved at me when they saw me. If I was in the garden, they'd wave from their bedroom windows. 'On the day of the fire, I told the police about my suspicions over the ladders, but it took them weeks to arrest him. I've never really understood why. It was obvious to me what he'd done.' 'We were called child murderers' One of those arrested, a 41-year-old woman named Vicky, also told The Sun - in another first interview - how Philpott tried to frame her and her partner for the fire that left six children dead. Vicky, then aged 28, revealed how officers arrested her and her late partner Adam, then 38, who died last year, and took them to Ripley police station and held them for questioning for 72 hours. Through tears, Vicky said: 'We had been friends with Mick, Mairead and Lisa (Philpott's former live-in mistress) for some time and 'When the police spoke to him on the day of the fire he told them me and Adam had started it. "As soon as they told me Mick had accused us of starting the fire, I knew it had to have been Mick himself who had done it. Why else would he have tried to put it on us? 'Even so, it took us three days to convince the cops we were innocent before they let us go, but when we got back people still believed we'd done it. 'We were getting called child murderers in the street and on social media. It was absolute hell for us. It went on for months and months. I am still traumatised by it. "Poor Adam is dead now but it was the same for him until the day he died. You just never get over it. 'The abuse only stopped when Philpott and the other two went to court and the details came out, but for me and Adam, the damage was already done. 'And those poor, poor children. Nothing could bring them back. 'Philpott was an obnoxious, self-centred b*****d who thought he was God's gift to everything. He killed his own children then tried to frame me and Adam - his friends - for it. That tells you what kind of man he is. 'I hope he is never released from jail. He is a monster and should die in there.' 12 The bathroom at the house after the fire that killed six children Credit: PA:Press Association 12 The charred shell of the house was boarded up in 2013, with flowers and teddy bears left outside in tribute to the children who died Credit: PA:Press Association Vicky said she remains close friends with Lisa, and is 'in touch' with her. 'Lisa has long since moved away from Derby and I would never tell anyone where she is now,' she said. Vicky also revealed that Mairead, who was released early from jail in 2023, has since changed her name and is living with a new partner. 'She is a monster too and should never have been let out early. Why should she be allowed to start a new life as if nothing happened?' 'Hope he never gets out' Speaking to those living in Victory Road now, it is notable how many locals' lives were interwoven with the Philpotts. Neighbour Martin's son was in a relationship with Philpott's daughter from his first marriage at the time of the tragedy. He said his son, then 18, had been one of the first to try and enter the burning building and rescue the children. Martin said: 'Before the fire crews arrived, my boy was there trying to get the kids out. "He saw the ladders at the back of the house and climbed up to try and get in through the window but the heat was so intense it was burning the hairs off his arms. His skin felt like it was on fire. 'He tried and tried to smash the windows but he just couldn't. It was awful. 'He knew the Philpotts because he'd been going out with one of Mick's daughters for about a year at the time. We all got to know Mick and his family quite well and we'd sometimes go round for dinner. 'I never really liked him because he was such a loudmouth, but I had to make the effort for the sake of my son and his girlfriend. 12 Philpott in the dock at Nottingham Crown Court Credit: Pricilla Coleman 12 He wept in the witness box Credit: PA:Press Association 'To be honest, I thought Mick was a bit of a prat. He'd been on TV and thought of himself as a star. He really believed he was a film star. 'But I never thought for a moment he'd be capable of what he did. 'What happened put such a strain on my son's relationship with Mick's daughter that they broke up a year or so later. "My son was traumatised by the events of that night and he has struggled with his emotions to this day, although very recently he has started to open up a little. 'All of us around here just want to forget about Mick and that horrific day, but it is impossible. I hope he never gets out of prison.' Elsewhere in Victory Road, a 38-year-old mother told how her son was at school with several of the Philpotts' children. She recoils at the mention of Mick Philpott's name and tells how he 'made my skin crawl'. She said: 'I hated him on sight. He was a horrible, horrible man. 'He was friends with my ex-partner and he'd call round here to see him wearing nothing but a pair of tight, turquoise Speedos and a pair of trainers. 'He'd stand at our porch with one leg raised on the windowsill like he was God's gift, but all I saw was a fame-hungry w****r. He was utterly repulsive. 'I had nieces in their teens at the time and when they were here he'd be leering at them. It was disgusting. 'When they left to go back home, I'd go with them in case he tried to follow them. I just didn't trust him at all. "Once I told her to stop being such a wet blanket and stand up to him, but she never did. If he told her to jump, she'd say 'How high?'. It was that kind of relationship. 'When she and Lisa were both pregnant, I remember the three of them walking back from town with loads and loads of bags full of shopping, but he made them carry it all. 12 The headstones on the graves of the six Philpott children who died Credit: Paul Tonge - The Sun 12 Philpott with his mistress Lisa and wife Mairead, and kids, after he launched an appeal to the council to be rehoused to a bigger property Credit: Rex "He was walking ahead of them, empty-handed, in his stupid Speedos and nothing else. 'It was a weird set-up with the three of them. Between Mairead and Lisa, one of them was always pregnant. 'But even though I knew what an awful man he was, I was surprised he could kill his own children. I hope to God he is never allowed out of jail for what he did.' Battered and bruised Last month, The Sun revealed how Philpott was left with bruises and lumps on his head after an inmate battered him with a metal container at tough HMP Wakefield, West Yorks. A source said: 'Philpott was in a bad way after the attack – battered and bruised and with two large and noticeable lumps on the back of his head. 'The other lad pounced on him and whacked him quite a few times from behind. 'It was one bloke on his own – someone quite a bit younger than Philpott and it happened really quickly on the landing. 'There was a huge commotion, an alarm was going off and guards rushed in to help. 'Otherwise it could have been a lot worse for Philpott. 'Philpott was feeling very sorry for himself after the attack – but no-one had much sympathy. 'That is reserved for the children he killed."
Irish Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Petrol bombs thrown on fifth night of unrest in Northern Ireland 'week of shame'
Petrol bombs were thrown at police for a fifth consecutive night in Northern Ireland, in what has been dubbed a 'week of shame' for the region. After serious public disorder erupted in Ballymena on Monday, the focus of the violence and unrest has since shifted to Portadown. One officer was directly in the impact of a petrol bomb that landed behind a line of police vehicles during a sustained standoff with those participating in the unrest on Friday. Fireworks, masonry, and bottles were among other items thrown at riot police deployed in the town. Shortly before midnight, the PSNI used a water cannon on the crowd in an effort to disperse those gathered on West Street into other areas. The force used the water cannon again at around 12.30am on Saturday. Elsewhere on Friday, there were reports of disruption and damage to public property as riot police responded to another protest in the Tullyally area of Derry. It came after a senior officer said there would be a 'scaled-up' policing presence across Northern Ireland in anticipation of further disorder over the weekend. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the mobilisation, which would include officers sent over from Scotland, was 'to reassure our communities and protect our streets'. Disorder started in Ballymena on Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the Co Antrim town at the weekend, and continued throughout the week. The unrest and riotous behaviour spread to other towns, including Larne, Belfast and Coleraine. A number of homes were targeted, and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has said about 50 households have received assistance across the week, and 14 families have been provided with emergency accommodation. A police representative group said at least 63 police officers have been injured in the five days of disorder, which led political leaders to call for calm during a meeting of the British Irish Council in Newcastle, Co Down, on Friday. First Minister Michelle O'Neill said everyone is condemning the disorder and calling for it to stop. 'What we have seen over the last four days has been devastation, has been horrific for those people targeted – this is women and children, these are families, at the brunt of racist, violent attacks, and it is wrong on every level,' she said. 'The whole of the Executive is united on that front.' Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly described a 'difficult time for Northern Ireland' with 'disgraceful scenes of violent disorder', and said her thoughts are with the residents of the areas affected. Additional police officers from Scotland supported the PSNI after a mutual aid request. Scottish First Minister John Swinney said it was an illustration of how cooperation between police forces is 'absolutely essential'. While disorder in Ballymena raged across Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday night, it appeared to have largely abated in that town by Thursday. However, disorder instead flared in Portadown – although generally at a lower intensity compared to scenes seen earlier in the week. There have also been incidents in other towns, including the burning of Larne Leisure Centre on Wednesday and an arson attack on a house in Coleraine in the early hours of Friday, from which a man and woman, and four young children escaped. It is being treated by police as arson with a racially-motivated hate element. The Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said that since violence erupted in Ballymena on Monday, 63 officers have been injured. Federation chairman Liam Kelly said it has been 'a week of shame with appalling levels of unrest in towns and cities'. 'Burning people out of their homes, attacking a leisure centre, and the specific targeting of individuals and property fuelled by overt racism and prejudice, is totally deplorable,' he said. 'Yet again, our overstretched police officers have also been attacked with petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks as they sought to keep people safe and maintain law and order. 'They have held the line with great courage and professionalism and are owed a debt of gratitude by this community. 'They went to the aid of vulnerable people, have prevented further savage attacks and have undoubtedly saved lives.' Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Jon Boutcher warned on Thursday that his officers would be coming after the 'bigots and racists' behind the disorder. He also said that the young girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena at the weekend had been 'further traumatised' by the rioting across the week.
Sunday World
9 hours ago
- Sunday World
Scam queen who laundered crime cash with husband loses another battle against CAB
Khan and her husband Khurram played a major role in a multi-million euro international fraud and used companies in Ireland to launder the criminal cash. SCAM queen Agne Khan has lost an appeal against a court ruling in a Criminal Assets Bureau case against her. Khan and her husband Khurram played a major role in a multi-million euro international fraud and used companies in Ireland to launder the criminal cash. A property in Tipperary owned by Nida Investments has already been ruled the proceeds of crime which Ms Khan had attempted to contest. However, she was told that she could not represent the registered company in court which can only be done by a solicitor, a decision which she appealed against. In judgement published this week the Court of Appeal upheld the ruling by judge Alex Owens which came after two different solicitors acting for the firm asked to come off record. One said the relationship of 'trust and confidence between myself and my clients has broken down irreparably.' Ms Khan did not appear in court when the appeal case was heard and was not in court when the High Court granted the orders sought by Cab in relation to Nida Investments earlier this year. The Sunday World previously reported how Agne Khan tried to claim investors in her firm who turned out to be 'dodgy' had put funds into her Irish car companies. Her firms Nida Investments and Autology Ltd were branded as being 'steeped in fraud' in the High Court where the Cab sought to take over the property at Ballywilliam. The garage forecourt in Co Tipperary was bought by one company and rent from it has been paid to a bank account now frozen by Cab. Khan and her husband Khurram Khan have been described as being at the heart of a €3.5 million international cybercrime fraud. Counsel for Cab said that in sworn evidence filed by Ms Khan she had claimed to be innocent and investors who channelled funds through her mother were scammers. Even though Ms Khan and her husband pleaded guilty to fraud offences in the UK and got prison sentences they continued to associate with these people, it was heard. Her affidavit didn't explain the source of the money used to buy the Tipperary property which is now used by a legitimate business. Judge Owens said the property bought for €66,000 was 'no doubt' the proceeds of crime and appointed a receiver to take over the property and the bank account into which rent had been paid. Another motor firm controlled by the Khans had been based at the same Co Tipperary premises but stop trading 2018 after a Revenue investigation. The Khans 'walked off' from that company, taking with them any cash in the firm and leaving behind an unpaid tax bill €623,000.
