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Glasgow Times
03-07-2025
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow duo had plans to smuggle drugs into prisons
Charles McAllister, 53, and Stephen Lamb, 54, both of whom were linked to serious organised crime, have been sentenced to a total of 13 years and seven months behind bars for operating a drug-running operation. McAllister was convicted of directing others, including co-accused Lamb, to commit offences such as the sale and supply of controlled drugs, which included cocaine, heroin, spice, cannabis, and etizolam. READ MORE: Glasgow gangster jailed for role in UK's biggest-ever drugs conspiracy READ MORE: More than 600g of 'drugs' found by police in Glasgow Meanwhile, Lamb was convicted of being concerned in serious organised crime which included the sale and supply of controlled drugs, including cocaine, spice, cannabis and etizolam. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) revealed the pair's criminal scheme included brazen plans to smuggle drugs into a prison hidden inside Kinder Eggs. The duo were sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh after pleading guilty to their roles in serious organised crime between December 2022 and March 2023 at various locations in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, and West Lothian. McAllister, of Glasgow, was caged for eight years and three months after admitting directing serious organised crime. Meanwhile, Lamb, also of Glasgow, will spend five years and four months behind bars after pleading guilty to being involved in serious organised crime. Following the pair's sentencing, the COPFS said McAllister was linked to the Escalade serious organised crime group. READ MORE: More than £700k of 'drugs' found during major operation READ MORE: Stash of 'drugs, weapons, and cash' found in Glasgow Evidence obtained by police showed that he was issuing direct instructions to Lamb over the sale and supply of controlled drugs, including those for onward transmission to prison, and confirmed that Lamb was carrying out those tasks. Additionally, McAllister directed others in the storage, preparation, transportation, and movement of controlled drugs. The court was told McAllister was also involved in directing others to conceal criminal property, specifically money and jewellery, associated with the proceeds of crime. On one occasion, McAllister directed Lamb to hand over £25,000 to a shop to be laundered. Other evidence related to conversations about smuggling drugs into prisons, hidden inside balloons and Kinder Eggs. Meanwhile, on March 8, 2023, McAllister was also heard discussing the delivery of cocaine and heroin. He also referred to a 'stash house' into which he planned to install a woman and a child to make the property appear legitimate and discussed obtaining 20kg of cocaine with an associate. In March 2023, Lamb was eventually nicked by cops after a search of his home revealed a quantity of drugs, which included a quantity of Kinder Eggs containing drugs wrapped in Sellotape. READ MORE: Police pictured at 'drugs' raid at Cumbernauld property The following day, McAllister was also arrested after police recovered numerous SIM cards, phones and small quantities of cash during a search of his house. When officers carried out a subsequent search of his sister's home, they found a bag that had previously been dropped off by McAllister. The bag contained a mobile phone linked to the 53-year-old, which contained incriminating messages that demonstrated his involvement in the source and supply of cocaine and adulterants. The bag also contained bottles of THC, cash totalling £10,000, scales containing traces of cocaine and four watches valued cumulatively between £23,000 and £30,000. Both men will now face confiscation under Proceeds of Crime laws to recover monies illegally obtained. McAllister has also been made subject to a Serious Crime Prevention Order for a period of five years on his release from custody, which is designed to prevent him from re-offending. Sineidin Corrins, Depute Procurator Fiscal for Specialist Casework at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: 'This is a significant prosecution. "These two individuals played pivotal roles in a coordinated operation to distribute illegal and harmful drugs. 'With this conviction, we have removed these drugs from the streets and made communities safer. 'This successful prosecution underscores our determination to continue to disrupt serious organised crime. 'We will continue to collaborate with our partners as a member of Scotland's Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce to tackle serious organised crime, and this kind of case highlights the extensive work that has been ongoing against these groups.'
The National
17-06-2025
- The National
Hate crime figures fall but disability attacks reach record high
HATE crime has decreased almost across the board since a controversial Holyrood law came into force, figures have shown. Statistics from the Scottish Government reveal that despite a fall in nearly all categories, hate crimes recorded against disabled people have surged to record levels. The statistics are the first to include crimes under the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, which came into force on April 1 last year. Overall, there were 6019 hate crimes recorded in 2024-25 – down 1.2% on the year before. But charges aggravated by disability rose by 15% to 1069 – the highest annual number recorded since the legislation creating the aggravation came into force in 2010. Recorded hate crimes against disabled people have risen consistently since the start of the last decade. READ MORE: Scottish council rejects plans for huge 1000-home development with pub and park Race continued to be the most commonly reported hate crime in Scotland, with 3357 such charges being recorded over the last year. The figure, accounting for 55% of hate crimes, represents a decrease of 2.2% compared to the year before. Hate crimes over sexual orientation, the second most common type, decreased by 8.7% to 1699 – the lowest number of charges since 2020. Religious hate crime charges also decreased by 5.1% to 505, the lowest annual number since 2004. Hate crime charges against transgender people were down by one to 86. There were 88 charges related to age and 13 related to variations in sex characteristics, both of which are new aggravators included in the Hate Crime Act. There were 27 charges of stirring up hatred relating to race and another 65 for stirring up hatred against 'other protected characteristics' – both new charges under the Act. The Lord Advocate, Scotland's top law officer, urged the public to be vigilant over hate crime. (Image: PA) Dorothy Bain KC (above) said hate-fuelled crime continued to be a blight on Scotland's communities and urged the public to report any incidents to the police. She said: 'There is no room for complacency in our response to – and recognition of – hate crime. 'Last year, prosecutors at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) received reports with more than 6,000 charges fuelled by hatred and targeted at people who are simply being themselves. 'Today's publication highlights the shameful prejudice which persists and – in relation to those affected by disability – has been exposed in increasing numbers. READ MORE: Scottish fishing body accuses David Attenborough of 'propaganda' over new film 'Those of us who wish to live in a tolerant society find this abhorrent. Hate crime has hugely damaging effects on victims, their families and the wider community. 'COPFS will play its part in helping to make Scotland a safer place by prosecuting robustly those who victimise others through their own ignorance or bigotry.' Scottish Conservative Tory MSP Liam Kerr said: 'These figures reveal Humza Yousaf's Hate Crime Act for what it is – a completely unnecessary law that's a drain on police resources. 'We repeatedly warned that this bad law was unworkable and would lead to the police having to deal with a slew of spurious complaints. 'The relatively small number of charges being brought appears to bear this out. 'Instead of asking the police to continually enforce flawed legislation, SNP ministers should prioritise funding our police force so they can properly keep our communities safe.'
Daily Record
30-04-2025
- Daily Record
Pervert masseur found dead after groping women while carrying out treatments
A massage therapist who was facing jail after he groped women while carrying out treatments on them has been found dead. Alistair Bennie, 61, left 10 victims frozen in fear as he sexually assaulted them in their own homes and his own property. All of the women, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, contacted Bennie through his Alpha Holistics company and arranged for treatment but he used the sessions to molest them. He had denied any wrongdoing and had gone on trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court last month but was convicted by a jury. Shamed Bennie, of Strathaven, Lanarkshire, had been due to return to court next week to be sentenced for his crimes . But he has now been found dead at a property in Hamilton. It is understood victims have been contacted by officials to inform them of the shock development in the case. A source said: "Bennie had been quite an upstanding man up until his conviction came to light which left many people sickened. "He had been hiding in plain sight for years and people were horrified that he had been in their homes. "He would have been told to expect a lengthy stretch behind bars for what he had done and it would have been fully deserved but nobody expected this to happen." A police probe was launched after two women complained about his conduct which led to others coming forward. Two friends told how they had booked Indian head massages for £120 but were left shocked when he groped their breasts. Another woman was attacked during an appointment at his home while a fourth woman was molested while her husband was in another room of her house. The attacks took place between September 2017 and June 2022. Ahead of the trial Bennie sold his detached home in Strathaven for £350,000 and also tried to offload massage equipment including a treatment table. He even took to social media at Christmas to seek out a flat for rent and described himself as a 'quiet and considerate' man but made no reference to the criminal case looming over him. Sheriff Linda Nicolson had deferred sentence on Bennie for reports and had placed him on the sex offenders' register. A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: "The Procurator Fiscal has received a report in connection with the death of a 61-year-old man in Hamilton on 29 April 2025. "An investigation into the death is ongoing."
The Independent
19-02-2025
- General
- The Independent
Stash of 15th century coins discovered by metal detectorists in Scottish Borders
A stash of rare medieval coins have been discovered by metal detectorists in the Scottish Borders. Keith Young and Lisa Stephenson unearthed the haul of 30 gold and silver coins in the Cappercleuch area in early November, though the discovery was not publicly announced until Wednesday by the Treasure Trove Unit. Archaeologists then excavated the site, finding five more coins. The 15th century artefacts are a mixture of Scots and English coins, with English silver groats minted by King Henry V, King Edward IV, and Scottish gold demys and half-demys minted by Kings James I and II. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, which announced the discovery, said it is likely the coins were deposited at the site in the early to mid-1460s. After discovering the coins, the duo reported them to the Treasure Trove Unit, which assesses all Scottish archaeological finds. It will then refer it to the Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel, an independent panel which will assign the coins a monetary value, which will be paid to the finders. Mr Young said: 'Lisa and I have been lucky enough to have found some wonderful artefacts while metal detecting, but nothing quite prepared us for a find like this. 'Hopefully the hoard will go on public display for others to enjoy.' Ms Stephenson added: 'The hoard is the find of a lifetime and being part of the excavation with the National Museum and Treasure Trove team was an amazing experience, something we'll never forget.' Antony Lee from the Treasure Trove Unit said: 'Coin hoards containing a mix of both English and Scottish coins are not unusual, but we do not see many hoards from this period in Scotland, so it's a fascinating find. 'Keith and Lisa acted promptly and correctly in reporting it to us. 'In turn we, along with archaeologists from National Museums Scotland, were able to attend and excavate the site, finding five more coins and documenting the circumstances of the hoard alongside the finders.'
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Newborn baby ‘stable' the day before dying following an infection, probe hears
A newborn baby who died in a Glasgow hospital after developing an infection was 'stable' the day before she passed away, an inquiry has heard. Sophia Smith was just 11 days old when she died at the Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) campus in Glasgow on April 11 2017. The newborn became ill with an infection similar to MRSA, which developed into sepsis. In 2020, Sophia's case was handed over to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) which, earlier this year, announced a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) into her death. Sophia was born at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley, Renfrewshire, on March 31 2017. The inquiry at Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that following her birth Sophia had difficulty breathing and a possible heart issue, so she was transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the RHC. There she was placed in an incubator with one-on-one nursing care and a 'raft of machinery' next to her cot. She was also given antibiotics via lines into her body, initially in her abdomen and then in her left foot. The child 'rallied' over the following days, with parents Theresa and Matthew Smith being led to believe she would be home in 'a matter of weeks'. However on April 10 Sophia's health suddenly deteriorated and despite efforts to save her Sophia she died at 5.48pm on April 11. Samples taken from her body on April 10 and 11 subsequently tested positive for a bacteria called staphylococcus aureus (SA), which the inquiry heard can 'cause harm' if it gets into the body. On Tuesday the inquiry heard evidence from Lorna McSeveney, a senior charge nurse who had been on duty at NICU on April 10 and 11. The inquiry heard she carried out a routine 'package of measures' at the start of her shift at 7.30am on April 10 to check on Sophia's condition, and that these did not give her 'cause for concern'. 'She was a sick baby, but she was stable,' she told the inquiry. She took the inquiry through Sophia's medical charts for April 10 and into April 11. These showed, she said, that the initial signs Sophia was 'not quite right' came at about 3pm. This included changes in a number of vital signs, including her temperature, heart rate and oxygen levels, which were being constantly monitored. Small amounts of blood were also found in her airway. These signs continued to worsen over the ensuing hours, and she was found to be suffering from a pulmonary haemorrhage (bleeding on the lung). When asked whether these could have been signs Sophia had sepsis, Ms McSeveney said not necessarily, since they could have been caused by other things. She added that it was 'very difficult' even for experienced staff to detect sepsis in newborn children, and that the signs of the condition could be 'very subtle'. She was also asked if there was anything she would have done anything differently in the knowledge Sophia had an infection. She replied: 'I have gone over it in my head I don't know how many times. 'I don't think there was.' She said Sophia was being constantly monitored, and that from a nursing perspective she had done everything she could. She was also asked how handwashing protocols were 'policed' in NICU, with Sophia's parents saying on Monday it was 'frustrating' to see they were not always being followed by visitors and staff. She replied that staff had a 'duty' to ensure infection control measures were being followed, and that she would always challenge people if there were not complying with them. In the afternoon, the inquiry heard evidence from Pamela Joannidis, interim associate director of infection prevention and control at the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board from 2019 to 2022. She told the inquiry that any break in Sophia's skin – such as from a tube – could have been a 'doorway' for the SA bacteria to enter her body. However, she said establishing the exact source of the infection was 'particularly difficult'. On Monday, the inquiry heard that no other cases of the same PVL-MSSA bacteria were found in the NICU in the six months before or after Sophia was nursed there. Ms Joannidis was pressed by Iain Mitchell KC, representing Sophia's parents, on whether the infection could be due to a 'failure' in the ward's hygiene protocols around the insertion of 'lines', or tubes, into patients. 'How likely is it that there can have been the infection being introduced otherwise than by a failure in the protocol of asepsis, or a failure in the protocol of prevention of a line becoming infected?' he asked. Ms Joannidis replied that it was not possible to say for sure the infection was linked to a 'device', but said 'you could not rule it out as a hypothesis'. On Monday, Sophia's mother Theresa Smith told the inquiry she just wanted to know what happened to her baby. 'I want to know why she is not here, playing with her brothers and sisters,' she said. She added: 'She's dead. I live every day of my life knowing she's dead, knowing that absolutely putrid hospital caused an infection in my child and killed her,' she said. 'And when it killed her it killed me too. I want to know what happened.' The inquiry continues.
