Latest news with #Albutt
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Could Smart Build Another Miata Rival? This Time, It's Electric
When Smart introduced the ForTwo before the world panicked over the Y2K bug, the company realized that it had a platform for a fun sports car. A few years later, the Smart Roadster was born, based on the Fortwo platform but stretched to accommodate the sleek styling. It was meant to revive the love for open-top sports cars in the Old Continent, before bowing out in 2005 after over 43,000 units rolled off its French factory. A Smart Roadster revival would be nice, and apparently, it's entirely possible given that the brand is already preparing a successor to the ForTwo. There's one big catch, though – the Roadster will be entirely different, thanks to Smart's EV-only strategy. In an interview with Auto Express, Smart UK CEO Jason Allbutt was asked if there's a possibility of a new Smart Roadster given the Fortwo's upcoming turn. Albutt recognized the "particularly good fun" that the convertible brought to the table before, and the UK's love of coupes and top-downs. "For a country that has more rain than probably any other European market, we are lovers of coupés and roadsters. So yes, I could see a possibility for such a car in the UK," said Albutt. However, Albutt emphasized that a Roadster revival isn't being planned yet, with the company currently focusing on the Smart #5 SUV and the Smart #6 hatchback. Both vehicles are electric, which follows the brand's strategy. That said, if – and that's a huge IF – Smart proceeds with the revival of the Roadster, it will likely be battery-powered. It also needs to be lightweight and compact to match the original's driving dynamics, while also incorporating the instantaneous pull that EVs are known for. With an electric Mazda MX-5 potentially sitting alongside an ICE-powered Miata – a car like the Smart Roadster would be a worthy rival. However, Albutt also expressed his reservations about an electric roadster. Apart from the sensory open-air feeling, he cited that buyers of roadsters typically open their tops to hear the sound of the engine. Of course, this isn't possible with an electric powertrain, though speed won't be a problem given where electric powertrains are these days. "Maybe there's a new audience that would be looking at [an electric roadster] in a different way. I'm not quite sure yet as to who the buyers of that car really are. It's too early to tell right now, but we'll see." Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Scotsman
09-06-2025
- Scotsman
Former soldier who sexually assaulted Edinburgh woman while she slept is jailed
A former soldier who attempted to penetrate a woman with a syringe containing his semen while she slept has been jailed and placed on the sex offenders register. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Brad Albutt, 40, sexually assaulted the victim on three separate occasions - twice with the sharp implement - over a 12 month period at a property in Edinburgh. The ex-serviceman, who was a corporal with the 1st Battalion, The Rifles, was forced to confess about his depraved acts when the woman woke up to find him holding the syringe and a tub containing his semen. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Albutt pleaded guilty to the three sex attacks at a hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in December last year and sentencing has been delayed on several occasions to obtain a psychiatric report. He also admitted to charges of assaulting the woman by punching her to the body and breaching bail conditions, all between October 2022 and October 2023. Albutt returned to the dock for sentencing today, Monday, June 9, where Sheriff Kevin McCarron said there was no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence. Sheriff McCarron said: 'These offences spanned a period of one year and involved a significant violation of your victim. More worrying, these offences were planned by you. 'I am taking into account your background and it is also obvious you have served your country for a significant period of time and placed yourself at risk. To balance that, there must have been awful consequences for your victim of your actions.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Albutt was jailed for 20 months and placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years. He was also handed a non-harassment order banning him from contacting the victim for the next 10 years. Brad Albutt, 40, pictured outside Edinburgh Sheriff Court. | Alexander Lawrie Lawyer Paul Smith, defending, told the court Albutt, c/o the Scottish Veterans, Canongate, Edinburgh, was a South African national and had moved to the UK in 2000. Mr Smith said his client had joined the British Army in 2008 and had served two tours in Afghanistan before leaving in July last year. The court heard Albutt had been working recently with Lothian Buses and the criminal justice social work reports had deemed him a low risk of re-offending. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The court was previously told the first syringe attack took place as the woman slept at Albutt's former home in the capital in October 2022. Fiscal depute Ruaridh Allison said the woman had woken up to find she was being penetrated by an object. Mr Allison said: 'The accused was sitting on the sofa and she reached down and removed an object from her vagina and realised it was a syringe. She described it as being a very thin syringe unlike one she had seen before. 'She chose not to confront him at that time and gave the syringe back to him. Following this she lay down and pretended to go to sleep.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Allison said the woman was subsequently attacked by the squaddie with the syringe for a second time the following week. He said: 'She fell asleep on the couch while she understood the accused to be in the spare room. Around 11.30pm she woke up to find the accused beside her feet at the couch and noticed he was holding something in his hand. 'When she asked what he was holding he attempted to hide the object. She tried to grab the object and found it again to be a syringe and there was also a small tub sitting on the couch. 'When she asked, the accused then disclosed to her that both the syringe and the tub contained samples of his semen.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The court was told the woman reported the shocking attacks to the police and a forensic examination conducted later that night had found her DNA on the syringe. Mr Allison said Albutt had also sexually assaulted the woman as she slept by penetrating her with his fingers in October 2022.
Daily Record
09-06-2025
- Daily Record
Sick soldier who tried to penetrate woman with syringe containing his semen is jailed
Brad Albut sexually assaulted the victim on three separate occasions - twice with the sharp implement - over a 12 month period at a property in Edinburgh. A former soldier who attempted to penetrate a woman with a syringe containing his semen while she slept has been jailed and placed on the sex offenders register. Brad Albutt, 40, sexually assaulted the victim on three separate occasions - twice with the sharp implement - over a 12 month period at a property in Edinburgh. The ex-serviceman, who was a corporal with the 1st Battalion, The Rifles, was forced to confess about his depraved acts when the woman woke up to find him holding the syringe and a tub containing his semen. Albutt pleaded guilty to the three sex attacks at a hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in December last year and sentencing has been delayed on several occasions to obtain a psychiatric report. He also admitted to charges of assaulting the woman by punching her to the body and breaching bail conditions, all between October 2022 and October 2023. Albutt returned to the dock for sentencing on Monday where Sheriff Kevin McCarron said there was no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence. Sheriff McCarron said: 'These offences spanned a period of one year and involved a significant violation of your victim. More worrying, these offences were planned by you. 'I am taking into account your background and it is also obvious you have served your country for a significant period of time and placed yourself at risk. To balance that, there must have been awful consequences for your victim of your actions.' Albutt was jailed for 20 months and placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years. He was also handed a non-harassment order banning him from contacting the victim for the next 10 years. Lawyer Paul Smith, defending, told the court Albutt, c/o the Scottish Veterans, Canongate, Edinburgh, was a South African national and had moved to the UK in 2000. Mr Smith said his client had joined the British Army in 2008 and had served two tours in Afghanistan before leaving in July last year. The court heard Albutt had been working recently with Lothian Buses and the criminal justice social work reports had been deemed him a low risk of re-offending. The court was previously told the first syringe attack took place as the woman slept at Albutt's former home in the capital in October 2022. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Fiscal depute Ruaridh Allison said the woman had woken up to find she was being penetrated by an object. Mr Allison said: 'The accused was sitting on the sofa and she reached down and removed an object from her vagina and realised it was a syringe. She described it as being a very thin syringe unlike one she had seen before. 'She chose not to confront him at that time and gave the syringe back to him. Following this she lay down and pretended to go to sleep.' Mr Allison said the woman was subsequently attacked by the squaddie with the syringe for a second time the following week. He said: 'She fell asleep on the couch while she understood the accused to be in the spare room. Around 11.30pm she woke up to find the accused beside her feet at the couch and noticed he was holding something in his hand. 'When she asked what he was holding he attempted to hide the object. She tried to grab the object and found it again to be a syringe and there was also a small tub sitting on the couch. When she asked, the accused then disclosed to her that both the syringe and the tub contained samples of his semen.' The court was told the woman reported the shocking attacks to the police and a forensic examination conducted later that night had found her DNA on the syringe. Mr Allison said Albutt had also sexually assaulted the woman as she slept by penetrating her with his fingers in October 2022.
Edinburgh Live
09-06-2025
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh woman woke to find soldier about to carry out vile and depraved act
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A former Edinburgh soldier who attempted to penetrate a woman with a syringe containing his semen while she slept has been jailed and placed on the sex offenders register. Brad Albutt, 40, sexually assaulted the victim on three separate occasions - twice with the sharp implement - over a 12 month period at a property in Edinburgh. The ex-serviceman, who was a corporal with the 1st Battalion, The Rifles, was forced to confess about his depraved acts when the woman woke up to find him holding the syringe and a tub containing his semen. Albutt pleaded guilty to the three sex attacks at a hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in December last year and sentencing has been delayed on several occasions to obtain a psychiatric report. He also admitted to charges of assaulting the woman by punching her to the body and breaching bail conditions, all between October 2022 and October 2023. Albutt returned to the dock for sentencing on Monday where Sheriff Kevin McCarron said there was no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence. Sheriff McCarron said: "These offences spanned a period of one year and involved a significant violation of your victim. "More worrying, these offences were planned by you. I am taking into account your background and it is also obvious you have served your country for a significant period of time and placed yourself at risk. "To balance that, there must have been awful consequences for your victim of your actions." Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox Albutt was jailed for 20 months and placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years. He was also handed a non-harassment order banning him from contacting the victim for the next 10 years. Lawyer Paul Smith, defending, told the court Albutt, c/o the Scottish Veterans, Canongate, Edinburgh, was a South African national and had moved to the UK in 2000. Mr Smith said his client had joined the British Army in 2008 and had served two tours in Afghanistan before leaving in July last year. The court heard Albutt had been working recently with Lothian Buses and the criminal justice social work reports had been deemed him a low risk of re-offending. The court was previously told the first syringe attack took place as the woman slept at Albutt's former home in the capital in October 2022. Fiscal depute Ruaridh Allison said the woman had woken up to find she was being penetrated by an object. Mr Allison said: "The accused was sitting on the sofa and she reached down and removed an object from her vagina and realised it was a syringe. "She described it as being a very thin syringe unlike one she had seen before. She chose not to confront him at that time and gave the syringe back to him. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. "Following this she lay down and pretended to go to sleep." Mr Allison said the woman was subsequently attacked by the squaddie with the syringe for a second time the following week. He said: "She fell asleep on the couch while she understood the accused to be in the spare room. "Around 11.30pm she woke up to find the accused beside her feet at the couch and noticed he was holding something in his hand. When she asked what he was holding he attempted to hide the object. "She tried to grab the object and found it again to be a syringe and there was also a small tub sitting on the couch. When she asked, the accused then disclosed to her that both the syringe and the tub contained samples of his semen." The court was told the woman reported the shocking attacks to the police and a forensic examination conducted later that night had found her DNA on the syringe. Mr Allison said Albutt had also sexually assaulted the woman as she slept by penetrating her with his fingers in October 2022.
