Latest news with #DundeeSheriffCourt
The Courier
18 hours ago
- The Courier
Dealer pedalled drugs from bra in Dundee city centre
A brazen drug dealer caught pushing street Valium in Dundee city centre has been jailed. Police CCTV captured Paula Bowman exchanging wraps of etizolam and cash on High Street and City Square on multiple occasions. Bowman – who has a lengthy criminal record – was given the chance to cooperate with social workers in a last-ditch attempt to avoid prison. However, the 53-year-old did not engage, with Dundee Sheriff Court hearing about the extent of her 'chaotic' lifestyle. A narrative of facts previously described Bowman's drug-dealing between September 2021 and July 2022. Footage in the first incident captured Bowman taking a wrap containing a white substance from her bra. A full search later revealed she was concealing 18 different wraps containing 327 white tablets. The narrative said of an incident just before 10am in June 2022: 'The on-duty CCTV operator observed the accused handing out several white tablets to numerous members of the public in exchange for money.' More than £1,700 in cash was recovered from Bowman, with the drugs recovered having a maximum value of £511. Bowman, of St Mary Street, previously pled guilty to drug-dealing and returned to court for sentencing after a social work report was prepared. 'The report makes extremely poor reading,' solicitor Anika Jethwa conceded. 'She's had long-standing drug problems, significant mental health issues and has struggled to deal with the death of her long-term partner. 'The difficulties this woman has are very much entrenched. 'The offences were committed in the city centre where she was hanging around with various like-minded people, involving herself in the supply of drugs. 'She's not going into town associating with these people any more.' Sheriff Tim Niven-Smith told Bowman, who repeatedly shook her head while being addressed: 'I was rather dismayed to find you did not really attend any of the appointments and the only times you did attend was because you were in crisis. 'It seemed to demonstrate quite eloquently you still living quite a chaotic lifestyle. 'You are just going to be a revolving door to custody. 'I appreciate you may have been concerning yourself in the supply of drugs as a means of funding your own addiction but you have still seen fit to bring misery to others in supplying drugs that have caused your life to spiral out of control.' She was jailed for a total of 491 days.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Scots schoolboy left 'stupid cow' teacher lying in pool of blood after hurling her 'like ragdoll'
A pupil who carried out a savage attack on a teacher and left her lying lifeless in a pool of blood has been allowed to walk free from court. Secondary school teacher Carol Shaw's life was endangered and she was left scarred for life after being picked up and dumped head-first on a concrete floor. Ms Shaw was knocked unconscious after being hurled "like a ragdoll" by angry pupil Kieran Matthew, 18, from Dundee. Shortly after carrying out the vicious attack on 22 March 2024, the teenage pupil put his feet up on another teacher's desk and said: "The stupid cow deserved it." Sheriff Tim Niven-Smith said: "It is difficult to imagine a more serious assault, having regard to the consequences of your attack for Ms Shaw. It is not over-egging the pudding or exaggerating to say your attack has affected her life in every aspect. She is permanently disfigured. Photos show an extensive, significant scar on her head. "Until her promotion, she was the safe person for you to seek sanctuary with if you felt overwhelmed. She has dedicated her life to vulnerable school children such as you. You have robbed her of her career as she has been unable to go back to school due to panic attacks, nightmares and night terrors as a result of this assault." He told Matthew the offence merited 18 months in custody, but said it would be reduced for an early guilty plea. He said it would then fall within the sentencing rules on avoiding short-term sentences [under 12 months] for first offenders if an alternative is available. Matthew was placed under social work supervision for three years and ordered to attend Mentoring for Men and Designer Skills courses including anger management. He also placed Matthew on a Restriction of Liberty Order for 12 months from 9pm to 7am each night. Dundee Sheriff Court heard how the St Paul's Academy teacher was left with a highly visible Y-shaped scar on her head and had been too traumatised to return to work. Matthew, who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] and an "extremely low" IQ range between 47 and 59, admitted attacking and injuring the teacher. The horrific assault took place after Matthew, who was in S5 at the Dundee school, refused to get changed separately from other pupils before a PE class. This measure - agreed by Matthew, his foster mum and the school - had been put in place because of previous aggression towards other children. Fiscal depute Laura Bruce said Matthew was described as a "couple of years behind" in his development and was educated outside mainstream classes. On the afternoon in question, six foot tall Matthew was said to have been " agitated and heightened" over the pre-PE changing. The teacher who would be attacked was deemed to be a "safe" person for him and had previously succeeded in de-escalating volatile incidents. She took the decision to have two other teachers and pupils placed in a locked classroom away from Matthew, who sat with his head down at a table. Mrs Bruce said: "The accused then realised they had gone to the ICT class and moved towards the door and said 'I'm f*****g going in there too'. He tried to exit to the corridor where Ms Shaw had her back to him. "She recalls him gripping her in a rugby-style grip with her arms pinned to her sides and the next thing she felt was the horrific impact of her head striking the floor." The court heard the teacher blacked out momentarily but regained consciousness and made a bloody handprint on the wall as she tried to get to her feet. Staff came to her aid after she screamed for help while bleeding profusely. "She was blinded by her own blood, which covered her face and top with a large amount of blood seen on the floor," Mrs Bruce said. "Another teacher had witnessed the accused lift her completely off her feet, throwing her to the floor deliberately and landing headfirst. Another said she appeared to be like a ragdoll flying through the air. The accused sat at a teacher's desk, with his feet on the desk and using his mobile phone. He told a teacher 'Sir, it wasn't an outburst of anger. She deserved it'." During a phone call to tell someone he hit a teacher, Matthew again said "she deserved it". He later banged on the desk and said: "The stupid cow deserved it." A colleague took the injured teacher to Ninewells Hospital because of an expected 20-minute wait for an ambulance. She was given ten stitches and had to return for a CT scan because she was confused and unable to finish sentences. The woman was diagnosed with concussion and plastic surgeon Dr Ketki Kaushal said the assault could have been life-threatening. After being cautioned and charged, Matthew, of Dundee, replied: "I am sorry." He pled guilty to seizing the teacher's neck and body, throwing her to the floor, causing her to strike her head and be rendered unconscious. He admitted the assault was to her severe injury, permanent disfigurement and the danger of her life. Solicitor Theo Finlay, defending, said Matthew had moved to foster care as a young child after being subjected to abuse in his biological family home. Mr Finlay said: "He has had longstanding issues managing his emotions. It is likely he was already in a heightened condition. He experiences nightmares and requires to be medicated. "That is attributed to childhood abuse. He needs prompts to eat and struggles in noisy or busy environments. He was not being allowed into the changing room and had feelings of unfairness. "He described becoming agitated. The teacher moved others away, which made him feel more agitated and singled out. At school he felt intensely disliked and frequently provoked by his peers."
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Pupil threw 'stupid cow' teacher head-first to ground like a 'rag doll'
Kieran Matthew left his teacher unconscious in a pool of blood at St Paul's Academy in Dundee last year after he came 'agitated and heightened' for refusing to change separately from pupils in PE A 17-year-old pupil threw his teacher head-first onto a concrete floor like a "rag doll" before putting his feet on her desk, saying the "stupid cow deserved it." Kieran Matthew has been handed a community sentence after he left the woman unconscious in a pool of blood at St Paul's Academy in Dundee in March last year. Dundee Sheriff Court heard how the teacher had been left with an "extensive, significant scar" on her head following the horrific attack. The now 18-year-old had refused to get changed separately from other pupils before a PE class when he came "agitated and heightened." The measure had been in place for Matthew following previous aggression towards other pupils. He was accompanied by the teacher, who was deemed a "safe" person for him after previous de-escalating incidents before. However, when she tried to leave the room, Matthews pounced on her. Fiscal depute Laura Bruce said: "She recalls him gripping her in a rugby-style grip with her arms pinned to her sides and the next thing she felt was the horrific impact of her head striking the floor." The teacher was left briefly unconscious before she made a bloody handprint on the wall as she attempted to stand. Staff quickly rushed over to her after she screamed, with blood running down her head. Mrs Bruce added: "Another teacher had witnessed the accused lift her completely off her feet, throwing her to the floor deliberately and landing headfirst. Another said she appeared to be like a ragdoll flying through the air." Matthew then sat at the teacher's desk and repeatedly claimed "the stupid cow deserved it." The teen, who has ADHD, pleaded guilty to seizing the teacher's neck and body, throwing her to the floor, causing her to strike her head, and rendering her unconscious. Matthew admitted the assault was to her severe injury, permanent disfigurement, and the danger to her life. Sheriff Tim Niven-Smith said: "She has dedicated her life to vulnerable school children such as you. "You have robbed her of her career as she has been unable to go back to school due to panic attacks, nightmares and night terrors as a result of this assault." The offence merited 18 months in custody, according to the Sheriff. However, he said it would be reduced following an early guilty plea. Solicitor Theo Finlay, defending, said: "He has had longstanding issues managing his emotions. "It is likely he was already in a heightened condition. He experiences nightmares and requires to be medicated. He described becoming agitated. "The teacher moved others away, which made him feel more agitated and singled out. At school he felt intensely disliked and frequently provoked by his peers." Matthew was ordered to be under social work supervision for three years, must attend a mentoring course including anger management, and be placed on a one-year curfew.
The Courier
3 days ago
- Health
- The Courier
Pupil sentenced for throwing teacher 'like ragdoll' in Dundee school
A Dundee school pupil who knocked his teacher unconscious and covered in blood has been given a community-based sentence. Keiran Matthew, 18, narrowly avoided inflicting life-threatening injuries on the woman during an explosive outburst at St Paul's Academy. After throwing her on a concrete floor 'like a ragdoll', Matthew put his feet up on a teacher's desk and said: 'The stupid cow deserved it.' She has now been left with an 'obvious and permanent' scar and is terrified to return to work. Sheriff Tim Niven-Smith: 'It's difficult for me doing this job everyday to imagine a more serious assault than this particular assault having regard to the consequences of your attack.' Dundee Sheriff Court heard how Matthew, who has diagnosed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a learning difficulty, had refused to get changed separately from other pupils before PE. He was described as 'heightened' and 'agitated' before attacking the teacher, who it was claimed was a 'safe' person for the then-S5 pupil. Matthew – who was educated outside the mainstream system – returned to the dock following the preparation of social work reports with solicitor Theo Finlay previously tendering an extensive, clinical psychological report. The lawyer said: 'He appears to be experiencing signs of complex trauma in relation to early childhood experiences. 'The explanation of not being allowed to enter the changing rooms had feelings of unfairness. 'He described becoming agitated that the teacher moved others away which made him feel more agitated and singled out.' Mr Finlay said it was to the 'everlasting dismay' of Matthew's foster mum that she was not contacted to pick him up after he became agitated, which she had done three days earlier. Reference was made to signs of post-traumatic stress disorder in Matthew as well as cognitive impairment, autism, suffering from nightmares and years of involvement with the childhood mental health team. 'He could not cope with custody and there would be a real likelihood of a significant breakdown of his mental health,' Mr Finlay added. Prosecutor Laura Bruce previously described how the teacher was attacked. 'She recalls him gripping her in a rugby-style grip with her arms pinned to her sides and the next thing she felt was the horrific impact of her head striking the floor. 'The accused sat at a teacher's desk, with his feet on the desk and using his mobile phone. 'He told a teacher 'Sir, it wasn't an outburst of anger – she deserved it'.' He later banged on the desk and said: 'The stupid cow deserved it.' A plastic surgeon later determined the assault could have been life-threatening. After being cautioned and charged, Matthew, of Dundee, replied: 'I am sorry,' and later told a social worker he wished he could turn back time. Matthew pled guilty to seizing the teacher's neck and body, throwing her to the floor, causing her to strike her head and be rendered unconscious. He admitted the assault was to her severe injury, permanent disfigurement and the danger of her life. Sheriff Niven-Smith held up the photograph showing the teacher's injury while addressing Matthew. The sheriff said: 'It's not over-egging the pudding to say your attack on her has affected her life in every aspect. 'The photos that I have been provided of your teacher, she has an extensive, significant scar on her head. 'You caused that by your actions. You have permanently marked her head for the rest of her life.' The court heard the woman's confidence has been 'extremely' affected and experiences night terrors. 'She was your safe person and a safe place for you to seek sanctuary if you felt overwhelmed,' the sheriff added. 'She has dedicated her life to support people such as you who are vulnerable school children.' As an alternative to custody, Matthew was placed on supervision for three years with a mentoring programme requirement along with an associated anger management requirement. He is also subject to a restriction of liberty order (9pm until 7am) for 12 months. The sheriff said he took account of Matthew's age, lack of previous convictions and reduced culpability in reaching the community-based disposal.
The Courier
30-05-2025
- The Courier
Friday court round-up — Panicking pavement drive pandemonium in Dundee
Pedestrians had to jump out the way after a 'panicked' driver drove over a pavement on Dundee's Hilltown. drove dangerously after becoming involved in an incident at Babu's takeaway at around 10.30pm on March 5. The 32-year-old mounted the pavement and drove the wrong way to get past police, which prompted three pedestrians to take evasive action. Dundee Sheriff Court heard Malone drove his Vauxhall Corsa in an 'aggressive fashion' as he left the scene. Malone was later found at his home on Annan Terrace and refused to provide breath specimens to detect whether alcohol was in his system. Solicitor David Duncan said Malone 'panicked' after police started looking for him in connection with the earlier incident. He was ordered to perform 120 hours of unpaid work and disqualified from driving for 12 months. A vengeful boyfriend made a near-900 mile round trip from Wales to target his ex-partner's Fife home with abusive graffiti, including in a street called Lovers Lane. spray-painted the words 'wee slag' after flying and driving under cover of darkness to Cupar. A prolific shoplifter who stole more than £9,000 of goods – including from stores in Fife – has been ordered to carry out 60 hours of unpaid work. Saban Mili, 23, of Glenrothes, targeted Morrisons or Sainsbury's stores in Leven, Wishaw, Falkirk and Hamilton during a three-month period last year. Previously at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court, with the aid of a Romanian translator, he pled guilty to five shoplifting charges. They included, on August 3 at Sainsbury's in Riverside Road, Leven, stealing alcohol and other goods worth £1,779.05. The total value of stolen goods is £9,152.05. Solicitor Martin McGuire said: 'He came to Scotland in 2023. Ultimately he became embroiled in these offences having been introduced to another individual. 'Having found himself in difficulty, he engaged in offending during the course of 2024.' Sheriff Steven Borthwick KC said: 'Because you have no income, you're not in any position to make any financial recompense for the loss.' He said custody was considered due to the high value of the items. A callous conman from Angus avoided a jail sentence for stealing almost £20,000 from his partner because it was his first offence. Stonemason 's partner was being taken into a care home near Arbroath so he ended their 20-year relationship but helped himself to her bank card and stole more than £10,000 in cash and spent thousands more, including 22 payments to escort website Midsummer. A camper who set off on a road trip after smoking a joint has been banned from driving for three years. was pulled over by police in Perthshire after they noticed a strong smell of cannabis coming from his Toyata HiAce. The 34-year-old mechanic was candid with officers and admitted smoking the drug before leaving his home in Dundee about an hour earlier. He appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and admitted motoring along Perth Road, Birnam, while nearly four times the drug limit (7.6 mics/2 mics). It is his second conviction for drug-driving. Prosecutor Elizabeth Hodgson said Carl, of Ballater Place, was stopped just after midnight on September 7 last year. Although there were no issues with his driving, police noticed a strong whiff of cannabis while travelling behind his vehicle. Solicitor Alan Davie, defending, said his client had been heading to the Dunkeld area for camping. 'He accepts he smoked a joint before going on his journey. He made a mistake and he should have known better.' The court heard Carl no longer takes the class B drug and is regularly tested at his workplace. Sheriff Clair McLachlan told Carl: 'You really should have known better. This was a high reading and it is your second conviction in four years.' As well as a three-year ban, Carl was fined £670. Bomb disposal, surviving deadly snake bites and inventing Bag for Life – In the second part in our series on tea-blag conman , we look at some of the wild claims made during his trial for his too-good-to-be-brew Scottish tea firm fraud. A 24-year-old who sent pictures and videos of his penis to someone he thought was a child has been given 40 hours of unpaid work and put on the sex offenders register for a year. appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court for sentencing after earlier pleading guilty to attempting to cause a child to view a sexual image and attempting to communicate indecently with a child. Court papers say the offending took place at an address in Nicol Street, Kirkcaldy, and at an Italian restaurant in the town and elsewhere, between March 6 and 11 last year. Hannah, of West Pilton Brae, Edinburgh, believed he was speaking to a girl between the ages of 13 and 16 but this was in fact an adult pretending to be a child. He sent images and videos of his penis to the decoy and engaged in sexual conversations with them. As well as the unpaid work, Sheriff Steven Borthwick put Hannah on offender supervision for a year and made a strict conduct requirement, which includes a condition he must get supervisor approval before communicating with any child under 16. Defence lawyer Alexandra Philp said Hannah had benefitted from being open with social workers and is keen to do unpaid work, pointing out it might be a stepping stone to future employment. A 23-year-old man has been cleared by a jury of raping a woman at an address in Dundee. was found not proven of the single allegation he faced at the High Court in Dundee. Prosecutors alleged Scarpa committed the offence while the woman was intoxicated at his home in the city in March 2023. Following the jury's verdict, judge Olga Pasportnikov said: 'The charge against you has been found not proven and you are free to go.'
