Scottish hoaxers are in on the great tea swindle – but what about Meghan's and Fergie's brews? JAN MOIR
In Scotland, the celebrated Wee Tea Plantation Company has turned out to be a massive scam, with cheap tea imported from abroad then passed off as tea lovingly grown in a field in Perthshire, and sold off at 100 times the cost to grand hotels such as Gleneagles, the Balmoral in Edinburgh and the Dorchester in London. Ten years ago there was a launch in New York attended by then First Minister and actor Alan Cumming.
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The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Man who tried to murder toddler, 2, by holding him in front of moving train at Glasgow station jailed for 10 years
A MAN who stepped in front of a moving train while carrying a toddler on his shoulders has been jailed for 10 years for attempted murder. Frederick Danquah took the two year-old boy to Garrowhill railway station in Glasgow's east-end on July 2 2023 after he had split from his partner. The train struck both, but the youngster's physical injuries were luckily only minor. Danquah had earlier that day been spotted carrying the boy as he tried to climb over fence of a bridge overlooking the city's M8 motorway. The 28 year-old was today sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow having been found guilty last month. He had lodged a special defence at his trial that he had a mental illness and was unable to appreciate his actions at the time. The incident had been described as an apparent "murder suicide". Jurors heard how Danquah had struggled to accept his relationship with his partner was over in 2023. She insisted they would not get back together and that she had since met someone else. He ended up alone with the boy on the day of the murder bid. At one stage, he wrote what appeared to be a suicide note and posted it on Facebook. It included: 'I cannot continue to live in this darkness, I guess this is goodbye.' He was later seen with the child on a footbridge over the M8 in the city centre. He repeatedly tried to pull himself and the innocent boy over a fence. Police went on to speak to Danquah, but appeared reassured enough that they left him with the boy. But, he went on to make his way to Garrowhill station where what his own lawyer called 'a one-off horror story' occurred. CCTV captured Danquah as he had his boy on his shoulders and then stepped in front of a train pulling into the platform. An off-duty nurse happened to be at the station and she helped calm the chaotic scenes after what occurred. Mercy crews then arrived. The driver was said to have been traumatised. The child miraculously suffered only bruising and swelling to his head, back, face and nose. Danquah, however, had fractures to his spine and jaw. The boy's mother later learned of what happened and raced to hospital to see her son. Recalling his condition, she recalled in court: 'He was lying and could not move his body. 'They did not know at the time if there was anything wrong with him. The nurse said he could hear, but was in shock. He had a lot of bruises.' After the incident, Danquah was initially held at a mental health clinic in Glasgow before being discharged. The court heard today that he was deemed to have an 'adjustment disorder', but was not at a level which absolved him of being criminally responsible. Gary Allan KC, defending, said Danquah continues to need help with prison 'frightening the living daylights out of him' including him having been physically assaulted. The advocate said what happened was 'wholly out of character'. Mr Allan: 'He has asked me to state how sorry he is that he put the child in the position that he did.' Sentencing, Judge Tony Kelly said he had read an emotional impact statement from the boy's mum. He told Danquah: 'The affect on his mother is profound. She is deeply affected. She said she felt overwhelmed. She still suffers constant anxiety. The judge added: 'You endangered the life of the boy, You intended to take his life. 'You meant to have his mother to attend his funeral.' Members of Danquah's family broke down in tears as he led handcuffed to the cells.
Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Telegraph
Suicidal man stepped in front of a train with two-year-old boy
A suicidal man has been jailed for 10 years after walking in front of a train while carrying a two-year-old boy. Frederick Danquah, 28, and the child were both injured at Garrowhill railway station in Glasgow's east end on July 2, 2023. Danquah denied attempted murder and another charge of culpable and reckless conduct, regarding another incident on the same date, stating his mental condition as a defence, but he was convicted by a jury Glasgow High Court last month. At the same court on Wednesday, the judge said the 'harm was of the greatest kind' and sentenced Danquah to 10 years in prison. He also imposed a non-harassment order until the child is 18. The court heard that earlier that day, Danquah tried to climb over a footbridge above the M8 in Glasgow with the child on his shoulders, after arguing with his ex-partner who told him she had 'moved on'. After posting a suicidal message on Facebook, he prepared a 'contingency plan' including a note with contact details, the court heard. Danquah collected the child and took him into Glasgow city centre and met his sister's partner, before he attempted to climb the bridge over the M8. He was spotted by police but 'reassured them', the court heard, before he travelled to Garrowhill station with the child and made an attempt on their lives. British Transport Police said Danquah sustained a broken jaw and fracture to his neck, while the child suffered cuts and bruises but no serious injuries. The child was discharged from hospital two days later. Sentencing, Mr Justice Kelly said: 'You went to the platform, picked up [the child] and walked into the path of a train. You suffered injuries and [the child] was injured. 'To seek to take the life... over some hours is great criminality. I have no doubt about your intentions. 'You were intent on taking your own life on July 2, 2023.' Mr Justice Kelly added that a train driver 'saw you step in the path of a train' and people involved in the rescue were in 'various stages of upset'. The court heard Danquah had no previous convictions and was involved in a Ghanaian community group. Danquah made further attempts on his life including in December 2023, the court heard. Gary Allan, the defence barrister, said it was a 'horrible miracle' and Danquah was receiving psychiatric help since a 'one-off horror story took place at his own hand'. Mr Allan said Danquah had been 'beaten up by other prisoners', and jail 'will be living nightmare for him'.
Sky News
3 hours ago
- Sky News
Chairman of Sheku Bayoh Inquiry refuses to step down after recusal request
Why you can trust Sky News The chairman of the Sheku Bayoh Inquiry has refused a request to step down following concerns over his impartiality. A procedural hearing ordered by Lord Bracadale was held in June amid complaints he had privately met with Mr Bayoh's family on five occasions since the inquiry began. Father-of-two Mr Bayoh, 31, died after he was restrained by around six police officers in Kirkcaldy, Fife, in 2015. The Crown Office decided not to take legal action against the officers involved following an investigation, but the circumstances - including whether race was a factor - are being examined at the inquiry. The application for Lord Bracadale to recuse himself was made by the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), PC Craig Walker and former officer Nicole Short. After "careful consideration" of the matter, the former judge has refused the application for his recusal and to terminate the appointments of the assessors, Raju Bhatt and Michael Fuller. A spokesperson for the inquiry said: "Having regard to the relevant legal test, he has determined there is no apparent bias. "Taking into account various considerations in respect of the handling of the inquiry, he has determined having meetings with the families was not unfair. "There is much important work for the inquiry still to do, not least proceeding with closing submissions and moving towards the writing of the final report. "The team is working at pace and will announce next steps in due course." The SPF - which represents rank-and-file officers - said it is disappointed with the decision. A spokesperson said: "Any fair-minded observer would be concerned when it is revealed that there have been five meetings with a core participant family, without the knowledge of the other core participants. "The inquiry's legal team asserted that no evidence was discussed at these meetings, it subsequently transpired that was not the case. "Lord Bracadale has never asked for a meeting with former PC Nicole Short, who was assaulted in May 2015 in the line of duty and who has been unable to return to work as a result of her injuries. "Police officers will continue to call for a fair and transparent hearing, based on the evidence alone." In a statement issued on behalf of the Bayoh family, lawyer Aamer Anwar said Lord Bracadale had "done nothing wrong". Mr Anwar added: "He is a judge with over 50 years' legal experience, respected for his impartiality and integrity. "It comes as no surprise that both the police federation and solicitor general failed to grasp that this inquiry's duty under the Human Rights Act is to conduct a thorough investigation into the death of Sheku Bayoh, having at the inquiry's heart the Bayoh family. "There is nothing wrong with the chair treating a bereaved family with compassion and respect." Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes noted Lord Bracadale's decision and hopes all parties involved "can progress the important work of the inquiry as soon as possible". She added: "The Scottish government remains committed to establishing the facts surrounding the circumstances leading to Mr Bayoh's death. However, as it is vital all public inquiries operate independently of government, it would be inappropriate of me to comment any further."
