Latest news with #Gourock
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Ex-Arsenal academy footballer jailed over £600,000 drug smuggling plot
An ex-Arsenal academy footballer has been jailed for four years for his involvement in a £600,000 drug smuggling plot after a court heard his financial difficulties after a period out of contract led to a 'catastrophic error of judgment'. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was arrested after officers from the National Crime Agency seized an estimated £600,000 of cannabis as it was being brought through Stansted by two women he had recruited – his girlfriend and her friend. An earlier hearing at Chelmsford crown court in Essex was told the women believed they were importing gold. But Border Force officers detected roughly 60kg (132lb) of the drug in two suitcases, which had arrived in the UK from Bangkok via Dubai. The 34-year-old striker, of Cardwell Road in Gourock, Inverclyde, was arrested in the town in September 2024. He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to fraudulent evasion of the prohibition on the importation of cannabis between 1 July 2024 and 2 September 2024. Emmanuel-Thomas was sacked by Scottish Championship side Greenock Morton after his arrest last year. Prosecutor David Josse KC told the court the 'interception' of the two women – Emmanuel-Thomas's girlfriend, Yasmin Piotrowska, and her friend, Rosie Rowland – happened at the airport. He said it 'became apparent this defendant, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, had been involved in their recruitment to travel to Thailand'. He noted Emmanuel-Thomas 'had played a few games, 11 in total, for a club in Thailand'. The barrister said Emmanuel-Thomas had 'some awareness and understanding of the scale of the operation' and was acting in an 'operational management function' in the plot. He pointed out the defendant's relationship with Piotrowska when describing the recruitment of the two women. The footballer, whose former clubs include Ipswich, Bristol City, QPR, Livingston, Aberdeen and Thai side PTT Rayong, was sentenced on Thursday. The bearded defendant wore a grey suit jacket and black shirt, with his long hair swept back, as he listened to proceedings from the secure dock. Piotrowska sat in the public gallery and wept for much of the hearing. Alex Rose, for Emmanuel-Thomas, said: 'The financial gain in this case for Mr Emmanuel-Thomas was £5,000.' Rose said the defendant was a father of two and had made a 'catastrophic error of judgment'. He said a 'period of being out of contract led to very significant financial hard times' and he had 'succumbed to temptation'. 'Although he had previously experienced periods of being in between contracts or – putting it another way – being unemployed as a footballer, they had largely been on the back of fairly lucrative long-term contracts,' said Rose. Sign up to Headlines UK Get the day's headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning after newsletter promotion He said the 'situation was rather different in the background to this'. 'Having been out of contract prior to signing for Greenock Morton, he had a brief contract with Kidderminster Harriers but that was very much a short-term contract, almost to try to assist someone he had a good relationship with,' he said. Rose continued: 'His football career is finished and that's something he has brought entirely on himself. 'It's a devastating blow for somebody who had such promise and such an impressive football career.' Judge Mills, jailing Emmanuel-Thomas for four years, said: 'It's through your own action that you will no longer be known for playing professional football. 'You will be known as a criminal. A professional footballer who threw it all away.' The judge said Emmanuel-Thomas had played five games for Greenock Morton and was on a £600 per week contract at the time of the incident. He said the defendant recruited his girlfriend and her friend and was 'essentially turning the importation of cannabis into an all-expenses paid holiday in the far east', arranging business class flights, hotel costs and discussing in messages how to maximise their time on the Thai island of Ko Samui. Emmanuel-Thomas looked straight ahead as the judge read out his sentence. He nodded towards the public gallery as he was led to the cells. Piotrowska, 33, of Purves Road, Kensal Rise, north-west London, and Rowland, 29, of Southend Road, Chelmsford, Essex, denied the charge and at an earlier hearing prosecutors offered no evidence in their case. Josse said at an earlier hearing that the women 'said they thought they were importing gold, not cannabis', and the judge directed that not guilty verdicts be recorded for them.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Ex-footballer Jay Emmanuel-Thomas jailed over £600,000 cannabis smuggling plot
A former Arsenal academy footballer had a 'catastrophic error of judgment' when he engaged in a £600,000 drug smuggling plot while he was out of contract. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was arrested after officers from the National Crime Agency seized cannabis as it was being brought through Stansted Airport by his girlfriend and her friend. Chelmsford Crown Court in Essex previously heard how the women, whom Emmanuel-Thomas recruited, believed they were importing gold. Yet Border Force officers detected roughly 60kg (132lb) of the drug in two suitcases, which had arrived in the UK from Bangkok, Thailand, via Dubai. The 34-year-old footballer, of Cardwell Road in Gourock, Inverclyde, was arrested in the town in September 2024. He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to fraudulent evasion of the prohibition on the importation of cannabis between July 1 2024 and September 2 2024. Emmanuel-Thomas was sacked by Scottish Championship side Greenock Morton after his arrest last year. Prosecutor David Josse KC told Chelmsford Crown Court the 'interception' of the two women – Emmanuel-Thomas's girlfriend Yasmin Piotrowska and her friend Rosie Rowland – happened at the airport. He said it 'became apparent this defendant, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, had been involved in their recruitment to travel to Thailand '. He noted Emmanuel-Thomas 'had played a few games, 11 in total, for a club in Thailand'. The barrister said Emmanuel-Thomas had 'some awareness and understanding of the scale of the operation' and was acting in an 'operational management function' in the plot. He pointed out the defendant's 'relationship with Ms Piotrowska' when describing the recruitment of the two women. The footballer, whose former clubs include Ipswich, Bristol City, QPR, Livingston, Aberdeen and Thai side PTT Rayong, was sentenced on Thursday. The bearded defendant wore a grey suit jacket and black shirt, with his long hair swept back as he listened to proceedings from the secure dock. Ms Piotrowska sat in the public gallery and wept for much of the hearing. Alex Rose, for Emmanuel-Thomas, said: 'The financial gain in this case for Mr Emmanuel-Thomas was £5,000.' Mr Rose said the defendant was a father-of-two and had made a 'catastrophic error of judgment'. He said a 'period of being out of contract led to very significant financial hard times' and he 'succumbed to temptation'. 'Although he had previously experienced periods of being in between contracts or – putting it another way – being unemployed as a footballer, they had largely been on the back of fairly lucrative long-term contracts,' said Mr Rose. He said the 'situation was rather different in the background to this'. 'Having been out of contract prior to signing for Greenock Morton, he had a brief contract with Kidderminster Harriers but that was very much a short-term contract, almost to try to assist someone he had a good relationship with,' he said. Mr Rose continued: 'His football career is finished and that's something he has brought entirely on himself. 'It's a devastating blow for somebody who had such promise and such an impressive football career.' Judge Alexander Mills, jailing Emmanuel-Thomas for four years, said: 'It's through your own action that you will no longer be known for playing professional football. 'You will be known as a criminal. A professional footballer who threw it all away.' The judge said Emmanuel-Thomas had played five games for Greenock Morton and was on a £600 per week contract at the time of the incident. He said the defendant 'recruited' his girlfriend and her friend and was 'essentially turning the importation of cannabis into an all-expenses paid holiday in the Far East', arranging business class flights, hotel costs and discussing in messages how to maximise their time on the Thai island of Ko Samui. Emmanuel-Thomas looked straight ahead as the judge read out his sentence. He nodded towards the public gallery as he was led to the cells. Ms Piotrowska, 33, of Purves Road, Kensal Rise, north-west London, and Ms Rowland, 29, of Southend Road, Chelmsford, Essex, denied the charge and at an earlier hearing prosecutors offered no evidence in their case. Mr Josse said at an earlier hearing that the women 'said they thought they were importing gold not cannabis', and the judge directed that not guilty verdicts be recorded for them.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Stylish Gourock flat within traditional property sits close to the river
THIS fantastic flat sits within a traditional building in one of Gourock's most sought-after spots - and it's already making waves on the market. Resting in an enviable position on Cove Road, this beautiful property blends the modern and traditional to expert effect. (Image: Zoopla) Glorious views of the Firth of Clyde are offered from this amazing home, which includes traditional features like high ceilings and ornate cornicing. In the luxurious lounge, househunters will find a huge amount of space for furniture of all shapes and sizes. (Image: Zoopla) A great-sized window lets in a lot of light, and the home's traditional tones are brought to the fore in the form of a striking fireplace and intricate cornicing. The bright and spacious dining kitchen is a fantastic social area and opens out onto the rear garden. (Image: Zoopla) A good amount of storage solutions are provided in this area too. The bedrooms are a good size and offer up plenty of room for beds and furniture. (Image: Zoopla) In the bright and stylish bathroom, househunters will find an amazing range of features including wc, basin, bath and separate shower cubicle. (Image: Zoopla) Outside, there's a private parking space to the front, and a private garden to the rear - features which are said to be very desirable within the area. (Image: Zoopla) Early viewing is strongly advised. *This property in Cove Road, Gourock, is on the market for offers over £190,000. To find out more about it visit or call McArthur Scott on 01475 327646.
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Former Arsenal striker thought he was ‘importing gold not cannabis' in smuggling plot
A former Arsenal striker believed he was 'importing gold not cannabis ' after being caught in a plot to smuggle drugs through Stansted Airport from Thailand, a court has heard. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court to fraudulent evasion of the prohibition on the importation of cannabis between July 1 2024 and September 2 2024. The former Livingston, Aberdeen and Arsenal academy product changed his plea to guilty at a hearing on May 7 and this can now be reported after reporting restrictions were lifted on Wednesday. The 34-year-old had previously denied the charges when asked to enter a plea in October last year. The footballer, who has also played for Ipswich Town, Bristol City, Queens Park Rangers and Thai side PTT Rayong, was remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing on a date to be fixed. Emmanuel-Thomas, of Cardwell Road in Gourock, Inverclyde, Scotland, was arrested in the town by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers in September 2024. His arrest came after the NCA seized an estimated £600,000 of the class B drug as it was being smuggled through Stansted on September 2. Border Force officers detected roughly 60kg (132lb) of the drug in two suitcases, which had arrived via a flight from Bangkok, Thailand. Emmanuel-Thomas was sacked by Scottish Championship side Greenock Morton following his arrest Co-defendants Rosie Rowland and Yasmin Piotrowska, who both denied the charge, face no further action after prosecutors offered no evidence in their case. Prosecutor David Josse KC said that 'at all material times they maintained both before the events that led to the importation and after the events, they said they thought they were importing gold not cannabis'. Judge Christopher Morgan directed that not guilty verdicts be recorded in the case of Rowland and Piotrowska and they walked free from the dock. Rowland, 29, of Southend Road, Chelmsford, Essex, and 33-year-old Piotrowska, of Purves Road, Kensal Rise, north-west London, wept after leaving the dock. Emmanuel-Thomas appeared at Wednesday's hearing by video-link from Chelmsford Prison. He was asked if he would like to appear at his sentencing in person or by video-link and he asked that it be in person, with the date for this hearing to be set administratively.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pictures: Teddies and tots head to Gourock Park for special picnic in the sun
IF YOU went down to the Gourock Park this week, you would have been in for a big surprise. Inverclyde childminders gathered with their tots to celebrate at a teddy bears picnic. All the wee ones brought their favourite teddies along and tucked into sandwiches, cakes, treats and music. (Image: George Munro) (Image: George Munro) (Image: George Munro) (Image: George Munro) The party was held in the bandstand area of Gourock Park to mark Childminding Week. Suzanne Connell, who has been childminding for 27 years, said: "This is National Childminding Week, so every childminder throughout the UK is holding a Teddy Bears picnic. "All the children brought their favourite teddies. "It's just a chance to bring everyone together. Children get the chance to meet other children while it's good for the adults to meet other children and other childminders too." (Image: George Munro) (Image: George Munro) (Image: George Munro) Childminders Adelene Hutchison and Diane Campbell said they try to hold an outing like this every year. Adelene said: "It's so good for the kids' social skills to encourge them to share." Adelene and Diane care for different children each day, and were planning to hold a picnic at Loch Thom and a day trip to Kilcreggan as part of the week of activities.
