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Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Scots forensics teams working furiously round-the-clock to narrow in on warring gangsters
It's added to the workload of crime scene experts who helped gather evidence for the forthcoming prosecutions expected to go through court GANG WAR CRACKDOWN Scots forensics teams working furiously round-the-clock to narrow in on warring gangsters FORENSIC teams are working round-the-clock on the orders of Scotland's top law chief to deal with the number of cases linked to Scotland's raging gangland turf war, we can reveal. The details emerged in a report placed before a police watchdog about the 55 arrests made so far by cops involved in Operation Portaledge. Advertisement 3 Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC ordered an all out effort to crack down on Scotland's warring hoods Credit: Alamy 3 Property has been attacked during the heated gang war 3 Ross 'Miami' McGill is said to have ordered a spate of attacks across central Scotland Credit: Collect It's added to the workload of crime scene experts who helped gather evidence for the forthcoming prosecutions expected to go through court. Fiona Douglas, director of forensic services, told the Scottish Police Authority they were working overtime to process the evidence quicker at the request of the Lord Advocate. Officers have nicked dozens of suspects since a gang war erupted in March, with Dubai-based hood Ross 'Miami' McGill, 31, said to have ordered the carnage. Cops have had to investigate a wave of firebombings, machete attacks and murder bids on associates of caged Edinburgh cocaine kingpin Mark Richardson, 38, and his allies in Glasgow's notorious Daniel crew. Advertisement The report reads: 'Forensic Services is working closely with Police Scotland and COPFS colleagues to support Operation Portaledge which is the investigation into organised gang violence in the East and West of Scotland. 'Fifty-five arrests have been made and the specialist forensic support provided by Forensic Services has made a significant contribution to many of these. 'Within Forensic Services this work has consisted of more than 91 cases with more than 227 individual packages of work which are being undertaken across disciplines involving many staff.' Ms Douglas goes on to explain the need for urgency in dealing with the wave of cases with Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC stepping in to press home the point. Advertisement She wrote: 'At the request of the Lord Advocate these cases are being expedited to ensure that intelligence and evidential reports are provided at the earliest opportunity. 'In order to support this important operation, further overtime is being worked across the relevant teams however there will inevitably be an impact on some of the routine casework being undertaken within the service. 'Managers will continue to liaise with Police Scotland and COPFS colleagues to ensure that this does not impact on high priority casework and discussions will continue within the Forensic Performance Operational Group.' The issue will be discussed at the SPA meeting tomorrow. Advertisement We told this week how ex-Union Bear McGill, of East Kilbride, is being backed in his gangland turf war by top mob boss Jamie 'Iceman' Stevenson. McGill has got the 'full protection' of feared criminals linked to the caged 60-year-old cocaine kingpin. A source said: 'McGill follows instructions via associates of Stevenson, who is still pulling the strings.' The chaos was triggered by a fake cash scam involving cocaine that belonged to jailed godfather Stevenson. Advertisement A wave of violence erupted across the Central Belt in March after dealers stung the mob supremo's rising star McGill with £500,000 in counterfeit notes. Cops have so far arrested 55 suspects as part of the Operation Portaledge crackdown on the worst explosion of gangland violence in years. But tensions between rival groups escalated further after the murders of Lyons gang chiefs Ross Monaghan, 43, and Eddie Lyons Jnr, 46, on May 31 in Fuengirola, Spain. Scots cops at first dismissed a link to their arch enemies the Daniels but Spanish authorities insisted the double killing is linked to a decades-long conflict between the crime crews. Advertisement Michael Riley, 44, of Liverpool, is in custody facing extradition to Spain charged with the murders.
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.'
The Herald Scotland
17-06-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Disability attacks increase despite hate crime being down overall
The statistics are the first to includes crimes under the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act, which came into force on April 1 last year. Overall, there were 6,019 hate crimes recorded in 2024-25 – down 1.2% on the year before. But charges aggravated by disability rose by 15% to 1,069 – the highest annual number recorded since the legislation creating the aggravation came into force in 2010. Recorded hate crime against disabled people has risen consistently since the start of the last decade. Race continued to be the most commonly reported hate crime in Scotland, with 3,357 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. Read More Hate crimes over sexual orientation, the second most common type, decreased by 8.7% to 1,699 – 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. Dorothy Bain KC 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. '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.'
STV News
06-06-2025
- Health
- STV News
Needle bins installed near drug consumption room after 'dumping ground' concerns
Needle bins have been installed near the UK's first drug consumption room in Glasgow after residents claimed the site had turned into a 'dumping ground'. Residents of the city's East End say their streets have been littered with waste in the months since the consumption room opened. People living in the Calton area gathered last month to discuss the impact on their streets in the five months since the Thistle Centre opened its doors. They said there has been a stark rise in evidence of drug dealing, the discarding of drug paraphernalia and dangerous anti-social behaviour since January. Glasgow City Council Needle bins have been installed in Glasgow They called upon First Minister John Swinney to visit the area. The drug consumption room opened in January 2025, marking a landmark change in the approach to drug policy in Scotland. The three-year pilot project was granted the go-ahead after Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC stated that prosecuting those using the centre for drug possession would not be in the public interest. The centre allows drug users to take illegal substances with trained medical staff on hand to deal with emergencies. The facility has been used more than 2,500 times since opening. Glasgow City Council says it has begun work to clear the area and has installed needle bins following concerns being raised. A spokesperson said: 'In response to local concerns we have been clearing a public injecting site on derelict land in Calton. 'Discarded needles safely removed and disposed of, overgrowth cut back and other waste lifted. 'Needle bins also installed at sites where we know public injecting takes place.' In response to local concerns we have been clearing a public injecting site on derelict land in needles safely removed and disposed of, overgrowth cut back and other waste lifted. Needle bins also installed at sites where we know public injecting takes place. — Glasgow City Council (@GlasgowCC) June 6, 2025 Police Scotland said it was aware of 'long-standing issues' in the area and said its officers continue to work to address the concerns. Chief inspector Max Shaw added: 'Police Scotland has a duty to respond to the needs of our communities. 'We remain committed to reducing the harm associated with problematic substance use and addiction and our approach to any initiative, aimed at tackling these harms, will be to establish how best we can support it within the confines of the law. 'We continue to engage with members of the local community to discuss any concerns and would encourage reporting of incidents to Police Scotland.' STV News The facility has been used more than 2,500 times since opening. Scotland's health secretary has defended the safe consumption room, saying the Thistle had saved lives. Neil Gray also said that similar facilities around the world had reduced levels of public drug consumption and publicly discarded drug-related litter. 'Almost 250 people have used the Thistle since it opened in mid-January with around 2,000 injecting episodes – helping to protect people against blood-borne viruses and taking used needles off the streets, ensuring they're safely disposed of within the service,' he said. 'I recognise local people's concerns and Glasgow partners are addressing them through outreach work, ongoing needle uplift operations, and plans to expand public needle disposal bins. 'Glasgow Health and Social Care partnership will continue to engage with the local community and a comprehensive independent evaluation will examine the service's impact.' STV News Residents of Calton have called for First Minister John Swinney to visit the area. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
STV News
05-06-2025
- STV News
Calls for increased sentence for Army officer who raped woman in her own home
Scotland's senior law officer has called for an increased prison sentence to be imposed on an Army officer who raped a woman in her home after contacting her through an internet dating app. The Lord Advocate, Dorothy Bain KC, told the criminal appeal court in Edinburgh that the judge who jailed Calum MacGregor for four and a half years had erred. She told the Lord Justice Clerk, Lord Beckett, sitting with Lord Doherty and Lord Armstrong: 'The Crown say that this was a case where the seriousness of the offence simply was not properly understood by the trial judge.' She said: 'In my submission it is a matter of great public importance that this appeal is advanced and considered.' The Lord Advocate said it was appropriate to impose a more severe penalty because of the seriousness of the crime committed and it could provide guidance to sentencers generally. The Lord Advocate told the court: 'This was a forceful, aggressive rape.' She added the woman prepared a victim impact statement in which she said she was unable to work for six months following the crime due to mental health issues. She was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and became afraid of the dark. She suffered flashbacks and saw a psychologist. The senior law officer said: 'This had a very serious impact on the wellbeing of this young woman.' Defence solicitor advocate Iain McSporran KC argued that the sentence imposed on MacGregor fell within the range that a judge could consider as reasonably appropriate and was not unduly lenient. He said it met the requirements for punishment and deterrence in a case where the offender has no criminal background and had led a pro-social life. Army captain MacGregor, 30, had denied raping the woman at a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh earlier this year and maintained that sex was consensual and that he had a reasonable belief in consent. But a majority of the jury found MacGregor, whose domicile of citation was given as a parachute engineer regiment in Suffolk, guilty of the crime. He was convicted of pushing the 28-year-old woman onto a bed at an address in Edinburgh, kissing her body, seizing her wrists, restraining her, repeatedly grabbing her breasts, removing her clothing and underwear, carrying out sex acts on her and raping her on December 14 in 2021. During the trial MacGregor told the jury that he believed the woman, who he met through the dating app Hinge, was consenting and said: 'At no point in the evening did she say 'no' or 'stop'.' He said he was 'pretty horrified' and 'shocked' when he later saw pictures of bruising on her breasts and told the court that he did not mean to hurt her. The woman said she told him that she did not want sex to happen but was pushed on to a bed and subjected to the sex assault. MacGregor, a first offender, said he was never in trouble before or since the incident and that he was in the Officer Training Corps at St Andrews University where he studied philosophy before going through the Army officer selection course. The court heard he served his country in the military in the UK and abroad and had an exemplary record. The trial judge told him at a sentencing hearing in February that a prison sentence was the only appropriate disposal given the serious nature of the offence. Judge Alison Stirling said: 'You expect to be discharged from the Army as a result of your conviction.' MacGregor followed the proceedings in the appeal court hearing the Crown appeal against his sentence by a TV link to prison. Lord Beckett said the judges would take time to carefully consider submissions in the case and give a decision at a later date. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
