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Daily Record
26-05-2025
- Daily Record
Limbs in the Loch killer makes fresh bid for freedom after parole board decision
William Beggs was jailed for life in 2001 after murdering and dismembering Barry Wallace, disposing of the limbs and torso in Loch Lomond and his head at sea. A lawyer has urged a judge to throw out a legal challenge brought by 'limbs in the loch' killer William Beggs as he seeks to be freed from prison. Mark Lindsay KC told judge Lady Drummond on Monday that parole board officials acted lawfully in a decision made by the organisation in February 2024. The Court of Session heard how staff refused to release Beggs on license from the life sentence given to him in October 2001 for murdering Barry Wallace. Lawyers for Beggs claim that the parole board's decision to deny their client's release from custody was incorrect - this has prompted them to raise a judicial review at Scotland's highest civil court. His legal team want Lady Drummond to quash the February 2024 decision. They also want the parole board to convene a tribunal of new members to reconsider Beggs's bid for freedom. However, on Monday, Mr Lindsay said the decision made by the parole board was lawful. He told Lady Drummond: 'There's no merit in the grounds of appeal advanced on behalf of the petitioner. I invite your lady to dismiss the petition.' Beggs was jailed for life in 2001 after murdering and dismembering 18-year-old Mr Wallace after luring him back to his flat in Kilmarnock, in Ayrshire. He disposed of the limbs and torso in Loch Lomond and the head at sea. He was ordered to serve a minimum term of 20 years in jail before he could seek to apply for release on parole, but completed that period in December 2019. Legal papers lodged in the case states that the petitioner is now 'five years over his punishment part.' A hearing in the action was due to begin at the Court of Session in Edinburgh in the absence of Beggs earlier this year. However, Lady Drummond agreed to discharge it so the murderer could either be brought into court or observe proceedings virtually via a video conferencing app called Webex. On that occasion, Lady Drummond was told that Beggs,62, wanted to be able to respond to what was said in the judicial review as he was present at the Parole Board hearing. The court heard that Beggs had made a complaint to the prison authorities over a refusal to bring him to court and has had no response. Beggs's lawyer Simon Crabb said: "He wishes to be able to fully participate in the hearing by attending to hear the arguments, to observe any judicial interventions and to be able to see justice is done in his case." Mr Crabb said Beggs felt he had been treated unfairly and added: "He thinks it is important he should be present either in person or by Webex. This is a case that obviously involves his fundamental right to liberty.' On Thursday, Beggs observed proceedings from prison. He could be seen wearing a navy suit, a light blue shirt and a royal blue tie. He sat beside a prison officer and had what appeared to be a number of legal files beside him. 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. Lawyers acting for Beggs claim parole board officials made their decision partly on the basis of an 'irrelevant factor'. They claim that parole board officials considered his conviction for murdering student Gary Oldham,28, in England in 1987. However, Beggs successfully appealed the conviction. Beggs's legal team claim that in their February 2024 decision, parole board officials considered the death of Mr Oldham in their deliberations. They believe the parole board had no lawful basis to do this. On Monday, Mr Lindsay said this wasn't the case and considered evidence which related to the level of risk posed by Beggs to the public. He added: 'They looked at the lack of insight and they looked at the lack of insight focused work on the part of the petitioner. 'They looked at the lack of a supportive network for the petitioner. They were entitled to conclude that the level of risk posed by the petitioner cannot be, at this time, managed within the community.' Mr Lindsay also told the hearing that Beggs will have another chance to apply for parole at another hearing in August 2025. Lady Drummond told the lawyers that she'd issue her findings at some time in the near future. She added: 'I will take this to avizandum.'
STV News
26-05-2025
- STV News
Limbs in the Loch killer in bid for freedom after being denied parole
A lawyer has urged a judge to throw out a legal challenge brought by 'limbs in the loch' killer William Beggs as he seeks to be freed from prison. Mark Lindsay KC told Judge Lady Drummond on Monday that parole board officials acted lawfully in a decision made by the organisation in February 2024. The Court of Session heard how staff refused to release Beggs on license from the life sentence given to him in October 2001 for murdering Barry Wallace. Lawyers for Beggs claim that the parole board's decision to deny their client's release from custody was incorrect – this has prompted them to raise a judicial review at Scotland's highest civil court. His legal team wants Lady Drummond to quash the February 2024 decision. They also want the parole board to convene a tribunal of new members to reconsider Beggs's bid for freedom. However, on Monday, Mr Lindsay said the decision made by the parole board was lawful. He told Lady Drummond: 'There's no merit in the grounds of appeal advanced on behalf of the petitioner. 'I invite your lady to dismiss the petition.' Beggs was jailed for life in 2001 after murdering and dismembering 18-year-old Mr Wallace after luring him back to his flat in Kilmarnock, in Ayrshire. He disposed of the limbs and torso in Loch Lomond and the head at sea. He was ordered to serve a minimum term of 20 years in jail before he could seek to apply for release on parole, but he completed that period in December 2019. Legal papers lodged in the case state that the petitioner is now 'five years over his punishment part.' A hearing in the action was due to begin at the Court of Session in Edinburgh in the absence of Beggs earlier this year. However, Lady Drummond agreed to discharge it so the murderer could either be brought into court or observe proceedings virtually via a video conferencing app called Webex. On that occasion, Lady Drummond was told that Beggs, 62, wanted to be able to respond to what was said in the judicial review as he was present at the Parole Board hearing. The court heard that Beggs had made a complaint to the prison authorities over a refusal to bring him to court and has had no response. Beggs's lawyer Simon Crabb said: 'He wishes to be able to fully participate in the hearing by attending to hear the arguments, to observe any judicial interventions, and to be able to see justice is done in his case.' Mr Crabb said Beggs felt he had been treated unfairly and added: 'He thinks it is important he should be present either in person or by Webex. This is a case that obviously involves his fundamental right to liberty.' On Thursday, Beggs observed proceedings from prison. He could be seen wearing a navy suit, a light blue shirt, and a royal blue tie. He sat beside a prison officer and had what appeared to be a number of legal files beside him. Lawyers acting for Beggs claim parole board officials made their decision partly on the basis of an 'irrelevant factor'. They claim that parole board officials considered his conviction for murdering student Gary Oldham, 28, in England in 1987. However, Beggs successfully appealed the conviction. Beggs's legal team claims that in their February 2024 decision, parole board officials considered the death of Mr Oldham in their deliberations. They believe the parole board had no lawful basis to do this. On Monday, Mr Lindsay said this wasn't the case and considered evidence that related to the level of risk posed by Beggs to the public. He added: 'They looked at the lack of insight and they looked at the lack of insight, focused work on the part of the petitioner. 'They looked at the lack of a supportive network for the petitioner. 'They were entitled to conclude that the level of risk posed by the petitioner cannot be, at this time, managed within the community.' Mr Lindsay also told the hearing that Beggs will have another chance to apply for parole at another hearing in August 2025. Lady Drummond told the lawyers that she'd issue her findings at some time in the near future. She added: 'I will take this to Avizandum.' 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
Glasgow Times
01-05-2025
- Glasgow Times
Teen tormented staff at two children's homes and issued rape threat
Jamie McQuoid, 19, was sent by Sheriff Linda Nicolson to the high court for sentencing after she decided she lacked the appropriate powers to deal with him. Sheriff Nicolson, who is based at Hamilton Sheriff Court, had heard evidence about how McQuoid engaged in behaviour described by one traumatised worker described as being 'horrific'. READ NEXT: Pair caught at Glasgow Airport with £600k of cannabis in suitcases READ NEXT: Man killed Maxine Clark in Glasgow left her with over 50 injuries The court heard how he grabbed one woman by the neck at a residential unit in Lanarkshire and warned he would 'rape' her if she screamed for help. The deputy manager at that children's home said McQuoid was 'unpredictable and aggressive'. Fiscal Rebecca Clark told a hearing at Hamilton Sheriff Court back in May: 'McQuoid would kick, spit, slap, put him in choke hold and put a butter knife at his throat. 'The deputy manager said the comments were horrific and McQuoid's behaviour became part of the normal working day. 'He felt tearful thinking about it. 'A female worker said staff became desensitised to his sexually violent behaviour.' Staff often struggled to control McQuoid, who was six foot, two and 18-stone. One worker also suffered a head wound after he hit her. McQuoid was later transferred to another Lanarkshire unit. It was there he then groped a female staff member and made inappropriate remarks. McQuoid had pleaded guilty to a total of 10 charges spanning between January 2022 and May 2023. In October this year, Sheriff Linda Nicolson sent the case to the High Court where sentencing powers are tougher. She believed that McQuoid could meet the criteria needed for an order for lifelong restriction - an effective life sentence in which an accused is only released from custody once the parole board is satisfied they no longer pose a threat to public safety. On Wednesday, defence advocate Richard Goddard KC said the offences committed by his client did not fall into the criteria needed to impose an OLR. He said the legal tests needed to pass such an order had not been passed. He also said that court appointed specialists who assessed McQuoid's risk concluded that he could be rehabilitated. Judge Lady Drummond decided to jail McQuoid for five years and also ordered him to be supervised by the authorities for four years and two months following his release from custody. Passing sentence, Lady Drummond said: 'In my view, I am not satisfied that the risk criteria has been made out. 'I am of the view that the public can be properly protected from you through the imposition of an extended sentence.' At earlier proceedings, Mr Goddard had urged Lady Drummond to impose an extended sentence involving McQuoid being detained in custody and then supervised for a number of years on his release. This would be as an alternative to the Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR) - a form of life sentence for serious offenders. Mr Goddard: 'He is now 18. The offending took place when he was 16 and 17. He has no previous convictions.' But, Lady Drummond went on to state that she had decided to order a full risk assessment to be carried out on McQuoid to investigate the continued danger he may pose. This could eventually see him hit with an OLR when he is finally sentenced. On Wednesday, the court heard how McQuoid had been diagnosed with ADHD and had complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Mr Goddard said that although the offences were serious, prosecutors were correct to bring the case to the sheriff court and not the high court. Speaking about his client's early years, Mr Goddard said: 'It was a wretched childhood.' The lawyer also said his client was a first offender and had recognised his need to be rehabilitated. He added: 'He remains amenable to change and will take practical steps to address his issues. 'My submission is for the court to draw back from the imposition of an order for lifelong restriction.' Lady Drummond agreed. She also told McQuoid, who observed proceedings via video link, that if he offended after his release from custody, he could be brought back to court and returned to prison. She also placed McQuoid on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
STV News
30-04-2025
- STV News
Teenager threatened to rape staff member at children's home
A teenager who tormented staff at two children's homes and subjected them to 'sexually violent behaviour' has avoided having an order for lifelong restriction imposed on him. Sheriff Linda Nicolson sent Jamie McQuoid, 19, to the high court for sentencing after she decided she lacked the appropriate powers to deal with him. Sheriff Nicolson, who is based at Hamilton Sheriff Court, had heard evidence about how McQuoid engaged in behaviour described by one traumatised worker described as being 'horrific'. The court heard how he grabbed one woman by the neck at a residential unit in Lanarkshire and warned he would 'rape' her if she screamed for help. The deputy manager at that children's home said McQuoid was 'unpredictable and aggressive'. Fiscal Rebecca Clark told a hearing at Hamilton Sheriff Court back in May: 'McQuoid would kick, spit, slap, put him in choke hold and put a butter knife at his throat. 'The deputy manager said the comments were horrific and McQuoid's behaviour became part of the normal working day. 'He felt tearful thinking about it. 'A female worker said staff became desensitised to his sexually violent behaviour.' Staff often struggled to control McQuoid, who was six feet two and 18 stone. One worker also suffered a head wound after he hit her. McQuoid was later transferred to another Lanarkshire unit. It was there that he then groped a female staff member and made inappropriate remarks. McQuoid had pleaded guilty to a total of ten charges spanning between January 2022 and May 2023. In October this year, Sheriff Linda Nicolson sent the case to the High Court where sentencing powers are tougher. She believed that McQuoid could meet the criteria needed for an order for lifelong restriction – an effective life sentence in which an accused is only released from custody once the parole board is satisfied they no longer pose a threat to public safety. On Wednesday, defence advocate Richard Goddard KC said the offences committed by his client did not fall into the criteria needed to impose an OLR. He said the legal tests needed to pass such an order had not been passed. He also said that court appointed specialists who assessed McQuoid's risk concluded that he could be rehabilitated. Judge Lady Drummond decided to jail McQuoid for five years and also ordered him to be supervised by the authorities for four years and two months following his release from custody. Passing sentence, Lady Drummond said: 'In my view, I am not satisfied that the risk criteria has been made out. 'I am of the view that the public can be properly protected from you through the imposition of an extended sentence.' At earlier proceedings, Mr Goddard had urged Lady Drummond to impose an extended sentence involving McQuoid being detained in custody and then supervised for a number of years on his release. This would be as an alternative to the Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR) – a form of life sentence for serious offenders. Mr Goddard said: 'He is now 18. The offending took place when he was 16 and 17. He has no previous convictions.' But, Lady Drummond went on to state that she had decided to order a full risk assessment to be carried out on McQuoid to investigate the continued danger he may pose. This could eventually see him hit with an OLR when he is finally sentenced. On Wednesday, the court heard how McQuoid had been diagnosed with ADHD and had complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Mr Goddard said that although the offences were serious, prosecutors were correct to bring the case to the sheriff court and not the high court. Speaking about his client's early years, Mr Goddard said: 'It was a wretched childhood.' The lawyer also said his client was a first offender and had recognised his need to be rehabilitated. He added: 'He remains amenable to change and will take practical steps to address his issues. 'My submission is for the court to draw back from the imposition of an order for lifelong restriction.' Lady Drummond agreed. She also told McQuoid, who observed proceedings via video link, that if he offended after his release from custody, he could be brought back to court and returned to prison. She also placed McQuoid on the Sex Offenders Register for life. 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
