Latest news with #SLAB
Daily Record
28-07-2025
- Daily Record
Killers who murdered vulnerable man before dumping body cost taxpayers £40k in legal aid
Amanda Welsh, Connor Thomas and Laura McHugh set upon Joseph McGready in a vicious attack before dumping his body in a communal close. Three killers who lured a vulnerable man to a flat and then repeatedly stabbed him have cost taxpayers almost £40,000 in legal aid. Amanda Welsh, 49, Connor Thomas, 29, and Laura McHugh, 32, targeted Joseph McGready in a vicious attack. He was accused of theft and then set upon by the three thugs at the property in Maryhill, Glasgow, before he was dumped in a communal close. The callous trio denied murder but were convicted at the High Court in Glasgow and jailed for life. Welsh was handed a minimum of 17-and-a-half years, Thomas ordered to serve 18 years and McHugh given 17 years. It has now emerged the killers have so far been given £37,760 in legal aid to fund their defence teams. McHugh was given £19,462 while Welsh was handed £12,472 and Thomas got £5,826. But the figures are likely to increase further as solicitors have four months following the conclusion of proceedings to claim payments from the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB). Their trial heard Mr McGready had called for help as he was being struck but was left bleeding as his killers fled in September 2023. Welsh and McHugh later spent the night in a hotel while their victim passed away days later in hospital. McHugh later told detectives there had been a 'free for all' at her flat but denied being responsible. She claimed Welsh initially slashed Mr McGready before Thomas struck him 'five or six times'. McHugh claimed she had been 'terrified' but admitted helping lift Mr McGready from the flat and putting him on the landing. Mr McGready was said to have pleaded: "Please stop, please stop." Welsh admitted slashing Mr McGready, but denied any further attack. Judge Lord Matthews told the trio the 'untimely and needless loss' of Mr McGready had caused 'incalculable' grief to his friends and family. A spokesperson for SLAB said: " Legal aid is paid directly to legal representatives to ensure the defence of those accused of serious and sometimes reprehensible crimes is properly prepared, to minimise delays in trials and to help ensure a jury can reach an appropriate verdict." 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'.
The Herald Scotland
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Legal aid for Murrell could end if SNP repays loan
According to the Electoral Commission's finance database, the party still owes Mr Murrell £60,000 from a loan payment of £107,620 'to assist with cashflow' in June 2021. READ MORE Mr Murrell was first arrested in April 2023 as part of the police investigation into the SNP's finances. He appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in March this year, where he faced a charge of embezzlement, making no plea. Until he stood down in 2023 during the leadership race to succeed his now estranged wife, Nicola Sturgeon, he had been chief executive of the SNP for more than 20 years. SLAB said no payments have been made so far, following a successful application for solemn legal aid by Mr Murrell's lawyers on April 30. A spokesperson said that when assessing someone's eligibility for legal aid, they consider the applicant's financial position at the time of the application, including salary, bank balance and any investments. 'Peter Murrell's application met the tests we have to apply when deciding whether to grant legal aid,' they said. SLAB's guidance indicates that debts owed to an applicant may be counted as capital, particularly if the money is recoverable. However, the board has discretion to disregard these assets if they are deemed 'trapped' or not readily accessible. Mr Murrell and Ms Sturgeon are to divorce (Image: Newsquest) The Herald asked SLAB whether the £60,000 owed by the SNP was factored into Mr Murrell's assessment, and whether that sum could be clawed back by the legal aid board if repaid in future. SLAB was also asked whether the SNP's status as both debtor and alleged victim of embezzlement had any impact on its decision-making. A spokesperson said: 'We cannot comment on the specifics of an individual's application for legal aid. 'Any grant of legal aid is made on the condition that we must be advised of any change of financial circumstances during the lifetime of a case. 'If any material change means the client is no longer eligible to continue to receive legal aid, we will terminate the grant.' Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr said: 'The public will be rightly outraged if the SNP's failure to repay their £60,000 debt to Peter Murrell is the reason why Scottish taxpayers are picking up the tab for his legal costs. 'The SNP should have severed all ties with their disgraced former chief executive years ago. They must explain why they have still not repaid this loan, given it now appears to be directly hitting hardworking Scots in the pocket.' The SNP has been approached for comment.
Scotsman
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
Peter Murrell: Ex-SNP chief has legal aid approved as taxpayers foot bill for embezzlement charge
Nicola Sturgeon's husband has had a legal aid application approved. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell is poised to have his legal costs covered by taxpayers after being charged with embezzlement. Mr Murrell, the husband of former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, 'met the tests' for an application of legal aid to be approved. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has been charged in connection with alleged embezzlement of party funds | PA (Press Association) The 60-year-old was chief executive 9of the SNP for more than 20 years before quitting in 2023. He was later arrested during Operation Branchform - the police investigation into the party's finances - before being released without charge. Mr Murrell, who has separated from Ms Sturgeon, was then charged with embezzlement and appeared in court in March. Ms Sturgeon has been cleared of any wrongdoing. The Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) has confirmed an application for solemn legal aid by Mr Murrell's solicitors was approved on April 30 and no payments have been made so far. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A spokesperson for the SLAB told the Daily Record: 'When assessing an applicant's eligibility for legal aid, we look at their financial position at the time of their application to ensure they meet tests set by legal aid legislation. 'This includes information they give us about their salary, the amount of money they have in the bank and any investments, which might be available to fund their own defence privately. 'Peter Murrell's application met the tests we have to apply when deciding whether to grant legal aid.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Murrell's final SNP salary has not been published, but the party's 2023 accounts showed his successor, Murray Foote, started on £95,000. Mr Murrell appeared at a private petition hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in March, making no plea or declaration and was committed for further examination and bailed. There are no dates set for a future hearing. Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: 'Taxpayers will be scratching their heads at why they should have to foot the bill for Peter Murrell - a man who has been charged with embezzlement. Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie | PA 'It is also particularly galling that Peter Murrell will be receiving legal aid after the SNP Government has repeatedly ignored warnings about the financial pressures raised by lawyers." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Silicon Labs: Q1 Earnings Snapshot
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Silicon Laboratories Inc. (SLAB) on Tuesday reported a loss of $30.5 million in its first quarter. The Austin, Texas-based company said it had a loss of 94 cents per share. Losses, adjusted for stock option expense and amortization costs, came to 8 cents per share. The results surpassed Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of four analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for a loss of 9 cents per share. The chipmaker posted revenue of $177.7 million in the period, also beating Street forecasts. Four analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $177.6 million. For the current quarter ending in June, Silicon Labs expects its results to range from a loss of 1 cent per share to earnings of 19 cents per share. _____ This story was generated by Automated Insights ( using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on SLAB at
Washington Post
13-05-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Silicon Labs: Q1 Earnings Snapshot
AUSTIN, Texas — AUSTIN, Texas — Silicon Laboratories Inc. (SLAB) on Tuesday reported a loss of $30.5 million in its first quarter. The Austin, Texas-based company said it had a loss of 94 cents per share. Losses, adjusted for stock option expense and amortization costs, came to 8 cents per share.
