Latest news with #MacGregor
Calgary Herald
13 hours ago
- Calgary Herald
Double murder suspect has charges stayed in historical Calgary homicides
Historical murder charges against a Calgary man arrested more than 18 months ago in connection with a 1994 double murder have been dropped by the Crown. Article content A letter from Edmonton Chief Crown prosecutor Sarah Langley was filed in Calgary Court of King's Bench on Friday staying two first-degree murder charges against Stuart Douglas MacGregor. Article content Article content MacGregor, also known as Surridge, was arrested in November 2023, and had been in custody since despite three attempts by his lawyers, Rebecca Snukal and Michael Bates, to have him released on bail. Article content Article content 'Pursuant to section 579 of the Criminal Code you are hereby directed by counsel instructed by the Attorney General for that purpose to make an entry on the record that the proceedings against the above named accused on the above named charges are stayed,' Langley's letter to the clerk of the court said. Article content 'If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office.' Article content MacGregor's arrest came just days before a second suspect, Leonard Brian Cochrane, was convicted on the same two charges in connection with the July 11, 1994, fatal shootings of Barry Buchart and Trevor Deakins in their Radisson Heights home. Article content Article content Cochrane was linked to the scene by police using investigative genetic genealogy, which compares individuals in known DNA databases and to material found at the scene to narrow the list of suspects to relatives with similar genetic markers. Article content Article content When MacGregor was charged police said they used the same technology to lead them to a second suspect. Article content In Cochrane's trial, he testified he had gone to the victims' residence to buy drugs from Buchart after meeting him a short time earlier at a nearby convenience store where the drug dealer asked if he wanted to purchase some narcotics. Article content After agreeing to purchase an ounce of marijuana and having gone home to pick up some cash to pay for it, Cochrane said he found himself inside the basement suite in the early morning hours when two balaclava-clad intruders stormed in. Article content Cochrane said he was bloodied during a struggle with one of the intruders leading to his blood being found at the scene, but Justice Keith Yamauchi dismissed his claim noting the drops of blood of the offender's found at the scene were inconsistent with his claim he was bleeding heavily.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Yahoo
HUNTER: Almost all accused in Ontario online child luring sweep released
'A country, a movement, a person that does not value its youth and children doesn't deserve its future.' — Oliver Tambo And Canada is just such a place if recent developments in the nation's courtrooms are any indication. On Thursday, with great fanfare, cops across the province announced they had arrested 36 men and hammered them with 128 charges as a result of an online child luring investigation. You can also toss in a slew of child pornography charges. Cops accessed online chat rooms and social media to ID the alleged perverts and put the 'cuffs on them. Good work, coppers! But what happened next is vomit-inducing. All except two of the suspected creeps were released on bail. You heard that right. As the Sun's Jane Stevenson reported, one of the accused allegedly arrived for their hoped-for tryst with an underage teen armed with snacks. Another brought a mish-mash of sexual paraphernalia. One of the accused is already on the National Sex Offender Registry. None of these men are babes in the woods: The undercover detectives posed as children online, and then they waited. As expected, the alleged pedophiles — or as the faculty lounge now calls them, Minor Attracted Persons — came like flies to feces. As part of the probe, cops rescued nine real victims. But we should not be surprised by this latest outrage, according to Toronto criminal lawyer Monte MacGregor. 'Sexual offences — especially crimes against children — don't have penalties that accord with the actual damage done,' MacGregor told the Toronto Sun. 'These victims may be able to walk, talk and look like they have no issues on the outside, but inside they've been psychologically destroyed.' Among those arrested in the sweep was Steven Catucci, 47, of Whitby. DRPS alleged that Catucci thought he was talking to a 14-year-old girl. He then allegedly sent the teen sexually explicit images and arranged to meet in a Pickering park for sex. Kanav Bhatia, 24, of Toronto, was also ensnared in the spider's web. He allegedly lured and sexually assaulted two girls under the age of 16 in Peel. Cops say he used social media. He was also dinged with making child pornography. Taking the prize for the oldest charged was James Daw, 73, of Hamilton. Investigators say Daw allegedly communicated online with someone he believed was a 13-year-old girl. His missives to the girl allegedly contained 'sexually explicit messages and images,' and she was asked to send him photos. Investigators allege the man communicated on Chat IW with the username 'JuniorJohnson.' According to MacGregor, the goal for judges is a 'categorical comparison of severity' and to find the true reflection of harm done. 'The potential for recidivism isn't always captured. Sexual offences of this repugnant nature really call into question whether this offender should ever be released and whether any punishment will modify his inherent behaviour to endanger young children.' He added, 'I'm not a psychiatrist, but in the legal field, you have to ask whether rehabilitation is ever likely to occur.' MacGregor noted that the Supreme Court of Canada has also called for increased penalties for crimes against children. 'These people have their wires completely disconnected, and there isn't any amount of psychotherapy or medicine that can be administered to rewire their cognitive deficiencies,' he said. 'Eternally damaged and horrifically dangerous.' The investigation continues. None of the charges have been tested in court. PERSONS CHARGED – PROJECT SILKSTONE bhunter@ @HunterTOSun
Toronto Sun
18 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
HUNTER: Almost all accused in Ontario online child luring sweep released
'Sexual offences — especially crimes against children — don't have penalties that accord with the actual damage done,' lawyer MacGregor said Get the latest from Brad Hunter straight to your inbox Steven Catucci. 47, of Whitby, is charged with child luring following a probe by Durham Regional Police. Photo by Handout / Durham Regional Police 'A country, a movement, a person that does not value its youth and children doesn't deserve its future.' — Oliver Tambo This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account And Canada is just such a place if recent developments in the nation's courtrooms are any indication. On Thursday, with great fanfare, cops across the province announced they had arrested 36 men and hammered them with 128 charges as a result of an online child luring investigation. You can also toss in a slew of child pornography charges. Cops accessed online chat rooms and social media to ID the alleged perverts and put the 'cuffs on them. Good work, coppers! But what happened next is vomit-inducing. All except two of the suspected creeps were released on bail. You heard that right. As the Sun's Jane Stevenson reported, one of the accused allegedly arrived for their hoped-for tryst with an underage teen armed with snacks. Another brought a mish-mash of sexual paraphernalia. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. One of the accused is already on the National Sex Offender Registry. None of these men are babes in the woods: The undercover detectives posed as children online, and then they waited. As expected, the alleged pedophiles — or as the faculty lounge now calls them, Minor Attracted Persons — came like flies to feces. As part of the probe, cops rescued nine real victims. Kanav Bhatia, 24, of Toronto faces 11 charges in connection with a Peel police child luring and sexual assault probe involving two girls under the age of 16. Photo by Peel Regional Police But we should not be surprised by this latest outrage, according to Toronto criminal lawyer Monte MacGregor. 'Sexual offences — especially crimes against children — don't have penalties that accord with the actual damage done,' MacGregor told the Toronto Sun. 'These victims may be able to walk, talk and look like they have no issues on the outside, but inside they've been psychologically destroyed.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Among those arrested in the sweep was Steven Catucci, 47, of Whitby. DRPS alleged that Catucci thought he was talking to a 14-year-old girl. He then allegedly sent the teen sexually explicit images and arranged to meet in a Pickering park for sex. Kanav Bhatia, 24, of Toronto, was also ensnared in the spider's web. He allegedly lured and sexually assaulted two girls under the age of 16 in Peel. Cops say he used social media. He was also dinged with making child pornography. Taking the prize for the oldest charged was James Daw, 73, of Hamilton. Investigators say Daw allegedly communicated online with someone he believed was a 13-year-old girl. His missives to the girl allegedly contained 'sexually explicit messages and images,' and she was asked to send him photos. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. James Daw, 72, of Hamilton, was arrested on child luring charges on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Photo by Handout / Durham Regional Police Investigators allege the man communicated on Chat IW with the username 'JuniorJohnson.' According to MacGregor, the goal for judges is a 'categorical comparison of severity' and to find the true reflection of harm done. 'The potential for recidivism isn't always captured. Sexual offences of this repugnant nature really call into question whether this offender should ever be released and whether any punishment will modify his inherent behaviour to endanger young children.' He added, 'I'm not a psychiatrist, but in the legal field, you have to ask whether rehabilitation is ever likely to occur.' MacGregor noted that the Supreme Court of Canada has also called for increased penalties for crimes against children. 'These people have their wires completely disconnected, and there isn't any amount of psychotherapy or medicine that can be administered to rewire their cognitive deficiencies,' he said. 'Eternally damaged and horrifically dangerous.' The investigation continues. None of the charges have been tested in court. PERSONS CHARGED – PROJECT SILKSTONE bhunter@ @HunterTOSun Ontario Sunshine Girls Toronto & GTA Editorial Cartoons Celebrity
STV News
2 days ago
- 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
Spectator
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Spectator
Remembering Hiroshima 80 years on
In October 1945, towns and cities across the United States celebrated 'A Tribute to Victory Day' in celebration of the United States's military victory over Nazi Germany and imperial Japan. The biggest event was held in Los Angeles and broadcast live across the country. In scenes 'reminiscent of the pre-war Nazi rallies at Nuremberg', Iain MacGregor writes, more than 100,000 people crammed into the Memorial Coliseum to watch the 'cinematic legend' Edward G. Robinson lead a massive cast on giant stage sets recreating key moments of the defeat of the Axis powers. For the evening finale, in the glare of searchlights, three Boeing B-29 Superfortresses flew low over the stadium and, as the audience gasped, a huge mushroom cloud rose behind the stage. 'Ladies and gentlemen, I give you…Hiroshima!' Robinson boomed. Published to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the first use of the atomic bomb as a weapon of war, The Hiroshima Men tells of the 'quest' to develop the bombin a gripping, challenging and sometimes provocative manner. With the help of new research and fresh voices, MacGregor traces the story from the discovery of nuclear fission in 1938 through to the decision to use it and the instant destruction of Hiroshima at 8.15 a.m. on 6 August 1945. The inclusion of Japanese voices is a vital ingredient often missed from earlier accounts. Readers of MacGregor's The Lighthouse of Stalingrad will find much to admire in this new book, which benefits from his ability to reframe the grand narratives of earlier lengthy books into accessible 'micro-narratives' told through eyewitness accounts, describing scenes not easily forgotten.
