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Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Scots kids safeguarding boss attacked girl, 12, by seizing her hair and hauling her to floor
HORROR ASSAULT Scots kids safeguarding boss attacked girl, 12, by seizing her hair and hauling her to floor Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A KIDS' safeguarding boss has been convicted of attacking a 12-year-old schoolgirl. Laurie Black, 45, shouted and swore at the terrified youngster then seized her hair and hauled her to the floor. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Oban Sheriff Court heard how Black grabbed her hair and dragged her to the ground Credit: Alamy The education support officer previously appeared before MSPs and told them how children were becoming more aggressive in schools. Argyll and Bute Council has now been slammed for refusing to reveal if the 'bully' has been sacked or disciplined. A source yesterday told The Scottish Sun on Sunday: 'Black is supposed to be somebody parents and children trust. 'Families go to her when they need help looking after kids. They are shocked. 'Nobody would have guessed she was hiding in plain sight — that wee girl must have been terrified. 'Her bravery has exposed Black for the bully she is. She should never be allowed to work with wee ones again. 'The lack of transparency from the council just reeks.' Oban Sheriff Court heard how Black snatched the girl by her clothes in February before grabbing her hair and dragging her to the ground. She was also being found guilty of shouting, swearing and acting aggressively. The Australian has worked as a principal teacher of support in schools for children with additional support needs (ASN) and managed teams for Argyll and Bute Council. Her work brought her into contact with vulnerable kids and some prone to challenging behaviour. Mum accused of killing baby girl by 'burning her to death with hairdryer' in Scots home Black previously told Holyrood's education committee about rising tensions in classrooms while she was convener of the EIS teaching union's ASN Network. She said frustrated pupils were lashing out at staff leaving them 'distressed' and in need of 'respite'. Argyll and Bute Council said: 'We cannot comment on individuals.' Black will be sentenced next month. She declined to comment.
Press and Journal
26-06-2025
- Press and Journal
Driver smashed into car on wrong side of road - then blamed deer for being 'too beautiful'
A driver veered into the wrong lane and smashed into an oncoming vehicle – them blamed a deer for being too beautiful. Rafal Woolny was driving his Jeep on the A816 Oban to Lochgilphead road last November when he crashed into a Land Rover. The 47-year-old escaped from his vehicle unhurt – and the driver and passenger of the other vehicle too sustained only minor injuries, as both cars were travelling around 30mph. When the matter reached court, it was questioned whether the fact that Woolny hails from Poland might have been a factor. But his lawyer said it would be all too easy to suggest Woolny, of Taynuilt, had driven on the right side of the road because that's how they drive in Poland. That was not a factor, he told the court – but a 'beautiful deer' was. Oban Sheriff Court heard how the crash took place on the stretch of road at Kames Bay, Kilmelford, on November 3, 2024. Procurator fiscal depute Amber Feeney told the court: 'It was 5.30pm and the complainer was driving north at Kilmelford in a Land Rover Discovery with a passenger. 'They saw headlights coming towards them on their side of the carriageway. 'The accused was on the wrong side of the carriageway in his Jeep. 'Woolny was travelling at 30mph and the complainer was travelling slightly more slowly.' It was at that point the two cars smashed into each other. Woolny got out of his car and asked the two people in the Land Rover: 'Are you okay? Are you okay?' Fortunately, all three people involved emerged from the crash unhurt and the police were called. Woolney admitted a charge of carless driving. Defence lawyer Graeme Wright told the court: 'The first thing my client did was make sure everyone was alright. 'My client had his full beam on because a deer had been on the road. 'He moved to the right-hand side of the road because of that. 'He failed to return to the left-hand side. 'My client was thinking of the deer and how beautiful it looked. He froze.' Mr Wright said Woolny was not a novice driver, and it would be all too easy to suggest that, because he was Polish, he had reverted to the wrong side of the road. He continued: 'He passed his driving test in 1999 in Poland and has been driving here since 2015. 'Due to his job in fish farming, he has in the past driven upwards of 30,000 miles per year and has no points on his licence in that time. 'He now drives 10,000-15,000 miles per annum around the west coast of Scotland, and there are no endorsements on his licence. 'This is careless driving, and it is a misjudgement that was momentary. 'He is regretful of his actions. This was out of character.' It also emerged that, while Woolny had a Polish driving licence, he hadn't converted it into a UK licence. Sheriff Clare Arias told him he must do that urgently. She told Woolny: 'I am fining you £900, and there will be a £40 victim's surcharge. 'When you apply for a British licence, you will have seven penalty points.'
Press and Journal
12-06-2025
- Press and Journal
Oban dad who admitted strangling dog avoids jail
An Oban dad who strangled his dog has narrowly avoided jail – but has still not explained the killing of his family pet. The actions of Harry Russell, 42, were described as 'warped and disturbing', but it was determined that he did not kill the dog in a 'sadistic' manner and therefore was spared a period of custody. Russell, of Kerrera Terrace, Oban, had previously pled guilty in Oban Sheriff Court to killing the dog named Rex, an American Bully-type. The court heard that Rex had been adopted by Russell and his then partner only a few weeks before his death. In April 2021, Rex had attacked another dog near the couple's home on Hazeldene Crescent, and it had been decided that the dog, who was less than two years old, would need to be put down. However, later the same day, Russell took matters into his own hands and strangled the animal. In court on Wednesday, defence agent Jane MacNiven said Russell had 'no explanation' for why he killed the dog, other than he was under the influence of alcohol. She said: 'Quite honestly, Mr Russell has no mitigation for his actions. 'He appreciates just how devastating his actions were. 'There is nothing he can say that will make it any better. 'Mr Russell was going through a difficult time at the time of the offence. The offence happened in 2021. 'Since then, he found himself the subject of a community payback order (CPO). The report on his CPO is one of the most glowing reports the court will have seen. 'He is no longer in a relationship with the person, and he is in full-time work. 'I have spoken with [the fiscal depute] and I understand she is seeking a lifelong restriction on having any animals. He is not opposed to that.' While strangling the dog, the court heard that Russell was 'crying'. She continued: 'He is utterly appalled at the nature of this offence. The person who appears before the court is a different person.' Sheriff Euan Cameron asked Mrs MacNiven to explain the circumstances behind Russell's actions. She said: 'This was an animal that has been rehomed, and [Russell] cannot explain why he made the decision he made. 'It had been accepted by the couple that the dog would be taken to the vet to be put down. 'I cannot give you any explanation. At the time, he was drinking heavily and using drugs.' Sheriff Cameron said: 'It was warped and disturbing, and his position is that he thought he was doing the right thing. 'Is there any suggestion that this was carried out in a sadistic manner?' Mrs MacNiven replied: 'It was not a decision to inflict pain and suffering on the animal. The decision had already been made that this animal needed to be put down. 'Whether he thought at the time it was the right thing to do, he knows it was not. 'He is going to have to bear the consequences of his actions forever, and he is going to have to live with the fact that he has done this for the rest of his life. 'It was his decision, and it was the wrong decision.' Sheriff Cameron addressed Russell, saying: 'This case is as disturbing as it is unusual. You behaved in a deplorable manner. 'It is clear that a decision had been reached by you and your family to put the dog to sleep. 'The right thing to do, the most compassionate thing, would have been to speak to a vet, not to take matters into your own hands. You had no right. 'Alcohol is no excuse. 'However, in your favour are a number of factors: your own devastation over your actions and reports that you struggle to live with your guilt. A glowing report from Argyll and Bute Addiction Services, and the progress made on a community payback order for a non-analogous matter. 'You have performed your community service in an exemplary manner. This incident happened four years ago, you are in full-time employment, and you have limited previous convictions. 'Your actions do not appear to have been motivated by malice. Therefore, I am narrowly persuaded that this can be dealt with as a direct alternative to jail.' Russell was put on a tag between 7pm and 6.30am for seven months. He has been disqualified from keeping or owning animals for an indefinite period.
Press and Journal
15-05-2025
- Press and Journal
Oban man had to put his pet dog down - so strangled it in the bathroom
An Oban man who pleaded guilty to strangling his American Bully dog has been warned he faces jail for the 'awful' crime. Harry Russell, 42, killed his dog, called Rex, after a neighbour complained about his pet's aggressive behaviour. After agreeing with his then-partner that Rex should be put down, Russell took the dog into a bathroom and throttled him to death, Oban Sheriff Court was told. Russell appeared in court yesterday and admitted carrying out the killing at an address on Hazeldene Crescent, Oban, in April 2021. Sheriff Euan Cameron told Russell that, given his criminal record, his actions crossed the custodial threshold 'and then some'. Depute fiscal Raeesa Ahmed said that Russell, of Kerrera Terrace, Oban, and his then partner had adopted Rex at the age of two. Rex had a psychological disorder and was aggressive to other dogs. She said: 'During April 2021, the complainer was in the locus when a neighbour had cause for complaint about Rex's behaviour. 'The accused had gone out to get Rex and brought him into the living room of the house. 'The accused and the complainer agreed that Rex's behaviour was not acceptable, so they agreed they would have Rex put down. 'The complainer said she would contact the vets to have the dog put down, but the accused stopped her, saying 'I have to do this myself'. 'Russell had been drinking heavily at the time and was behaving aggressively to the complainer. He said it was his dog. 'The complainer had seen him angry before but did not expect him to kill the dog.' The woman went outside to check on her children, and when she came back 10 minutes later, she saw Russell kneeling over the dog in the bathroom. He appeared to be strangling it. 'The complainer said 'what the hell are you doing?,'' Miss Ahmed said. 'He didn't look up and continued to strangle the dog. It went on for a minute. 'Thinking [Rex] was dead. Russell was then angry. 'The complainer said the dog Rex was not moving. It was at that moment that the accused and complainer heard the dog gargle. 'The complainer told Russell to leave the dog alone. The accused ignored her and got back on top of the dog to strangle him.' Rex died moments later. The complainer then dragged Rex's body into the bathroom and exited the room via the window. 'That evening, the complainer took the dog to be buried at a place where he liked to walk.' The complainer was said to be 'terrified' of the accused and kept what had happened secret, telling people 'Rex had been put down'. But later she reported it to the police. The defence agent for JBM Law said they would reserve mitigation until the case is called again on June 11, but told the court: 'On the date of the offence, the neighbour had complained that [Rex] had bitten another dog.' The solicitor also noted that since the incident, Russell had turned his life around. Sheriff Euan Cameron said: 'What an utterly, awful, awful, awful thing to do. I am appalled by what I have heard. 'Because you have never served a custodial sentence, and you are already subject to a community payback order, I am calling for a criminal justice social work report. 'I am also seeking a restriction of liberty order assessment, and at the next calling, I will consider the Crown's motion for a disqualification order.' The disqualification order — if granted — could restrict Russell's ability to own or look after a dog or other animals in the future. Sheriff Cameron added: 'Custody is a possibility here, but I will reserve that decision until I have everything in front of me.'
Press and Journal
30-04-2025
- Press and Journal
Fisherman faces jail after brandishing machete in Tobermory harbour
A fisherman who had a machete in the harbour area of Tobermory has been warned his sea-faring days may be numbered for now. Sheriff Euan Cameron told Andrew Aitken that there was a 'distinct possibility' he would go to jail when his case next calls at Oban Sheriff Court. The court was earlier told how, after more than six hours of drinking on January 21 2024 in MacGochan's, Aitken, 34, got into a verbal disagreement with other customers. Staff in the pub tried to de-escalate the situation, after one customer told them Aitken was 'giving him grief'. Fiscal depute Raeesa Ahmed said staff had described a night of escalating tensions between Aitken and another customer and attempted to calm things down. But by closing time, when the accused went to the toilet, the other customers took the opportunity to leave the premises. Realising this, Aitken became aggressive. When Aitken walked out of the pub, he had to be held back from another customer. Aitken, of Marine Court, Dunbeg, challenged him to a fight and a punch was thrown. The pair were separated by bar staff. Ms Ahmed said: 'The accused then went to his boat, the Aqua Dragon, and got a machete 12 to 18 inches long and hid it on his body. 'The accused then returned to the area and intercepted the man by running towards him. 'He produced the machete from behind his back and put it into his right hand, and he then put the machete away down the front of his clothes.' When questioned by people nearby, Ms Ahmed said: 'The accused was dismissive and said nothing had happened.' The police were called and went to the boat to speak to Aitken. Ms Ahmed continued: 'Police officers went to the boat. The accused confirmed his name and date of birth but would not allow officers to come on board.' Officers then spoke to witnesses. The following day, Aitken was traced to Dunstaffnage Marina, near Oban, where he was arrested and charged. He made no reply. Defence agent Kevin McGuinness told the court: 'The machete was never recovered.' Mr McGuinness said he would reserve mitigation until the next hearing on June 11. Sheriff Euan Cameron said: 'In light of the severity of this event, all options are being considered. 'You took a dangerous weapon into a public place. This is a very serious matter, and custody must be considered. 'This is a serious offence and there is a distinct possibility of a custodial sentence. You must put your affairs in order. 'I am calling for criminal justice social work reports and a restriction of liberty assessment.'
