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STV News
27-05-2025
- STV News
Why was serial domestic abuser allowed to leave jail to murder mum-of-four?
Serial domestic abuser Mark Keel receives life sentence for brutal murder of mum-of-four Maxine Clark Keel must serve a minimum of 22 years before being considered for parole Despite his history of violence, Keel was released on bail to Ms Clark's home in the Riddrie area of Glasgow He was the subject of separate non-harassment orders banning him from approaching or contacting three former partners Keel was also referred to the Caledonian System – designed to rehabilitate male perpetrators of domestic abuse His attendance on the programme was described as 'sporadic' Keel pleaded guilty to a murder charge last month and was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday Mark Keel had a long history of violent and abusive behaviour. He was a serial domestic abuser deemed at high risk of reoffending. As a result, he was the subject of non-harassment orders banning him from approaching or contacting three former partners. He was also placed on the Caledonian Programme, designed to rehabilitate male perpetrators of domestic abuse. But all of those measures failed to prevent him from murdering mum-of-four Maxine Clark at her home in Riddrie, north-east Glasgow, in June 2024. Opposition politicians and campaign groups say her death is an example of a justice system 'that betrays victims'. On Tuesday, Keel was jailed for life and he must serve a minimum of 22 years before being eligible for parole. Mark Keel jailed in June 2022 for domestic violence In 2023, Keel, who was deemed a 'high-risk offender', was told to attend the Caledonian Programme His attendance was described as 'sporadic' In January 2024, he was instead given a 12-month supervision order as well as an 18-week night-time curfew On June 27, 2024, emergency services attended the home address of Maxine Clark in Riddrie, Glasgow; Despite the efforts of emergency services, Maxine died Keel was convicted of murder after pleading guilty at the High Court in Glasgow on April 30, 2025 Sentenced to 22 years in jail at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday Deemed at high risk of offending again, Keel was referred to the Caledonian Programme, a behavioural programme designed to rehabilitate male perpetrators of domestic abuse. The programme is a requirement of a community payback or probation order – normally for a period of two years. It aims to reduce the chances of reoffending, but Keel's attendance was described as 'sporadic'. He also went on to flout a court-imposed community payback order. In January 2024, Keel was instead put on 12-month supervision as well as an 18-week curfew. The Caledonian Programme is operated by local authority criminal justice social work departments and works with domestic abuse perpetrators who present as being moderate and above in terms of risk of re-offending. The programme has been independently accredited, and a requirement of receiving the programme is that an individual is subject to a court order of at least two years' duration. A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: 'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Maxine Clark who have lost a loved one in horrific circumstances. 'Sentencing in any given case, including the imposition of Community Payback Orders and Restriction of Liberty Orders, is always a matter for the independent courts. The Scottish Government cannot comment on sentencing decisions.' At the time of the killing, Keel and mum-of-four Ms Clark had been in a relationship for 18 months. He had recently moved into her home in Riddrie. Maxine had once been described as 'healthy, happy and outgoing'. However, she had told others of physical violence being inflicted on her by Keel. Police Scotland Maxine Clark Ms Clark had been seen with black eyes as well as an injury to her jaw. She also had 'grab marks' around her neck. Prosecutor David Dickson said: 'Family and friends warned her they felt Keel posed a threat to her.' In the hours before the murder on Thursday, June 27, 2024, Keel called his own mum asking to get picked up, claiming he was 'leaving' Ms Clark. They went to his father's home in the Southside of Glasgow before he later got a taxi back to Ms Clark's house. He was described as 'drunk' and Ms Clark was in bed when he got there. Mr Dickson said it was at the property that the fatal attack occurred. A child also staying at the house got up the next morning to find Ms Clark still in the bed with Keel wrapped in a blanket sitting beside her. Mr Dickson said: 'She appeared to have fresh injuries to her face and her breathing was described as laboured.' Ms Clark was rolled onto her side. The child left to play with friends, but returned every hour to see how she was. Advocate depute Mr Dickson told the court: 'Keel said he thought she was having an allergic reaction and that there was no need to call an ambulance.' At around 6pm, G4S security staff arrived to fit an electronic tag on Keel due to the curfew imposed on him weeks earlier. But he steered them away, claiming he had just woken up. Spindrift Mark Keel Keel instead went on to dial 999, claiming Ms Clark's tongue was swollen and that he had not seen her awake that day. Emergency crews arrived to find her still lying on the blood-stained bed, partially covered with a duvet. It was found she was already dead. Mr Dickson said Ms Clark had 51 separate injuries, including brain damage, significant bruising, fractures, and wounds. These were likely caused by punches, kicks, and being stamped upon. The imprint of the soles of Keel's shoes were found on her leg such was the force. Emergency services attended the home address of Maxine Clark in Riddrie, Glasgow. Despite the efforts of emergency services, Maxine died. Sharon Dowey, Scottish Conservative shadow minister for victims and community safety, said: 'This tragic case is another shocking example of the SNP's justice system betraying victims. 'This dangerous offender had a history of violence yet was free to brutally carry out this murder of Maxine Clark. 'Cases like this expose the stark reality of the SNP's relentless weakening of the justice system which repeatedly prioritises criminals over victims. 'He must now feel the full force of the law given the clear and huge risk he presents to public safety.' On sentencing, Lord Mulholland said: 'What you did to this defenceless woman was cowardly and evil. They were the actions of a brute. 'You have a history of domestic violence as confirmed by your criminal record and in the agreed narrative read to the court. STV News 'You have been violent to three previous partners, and you were also violent to Maxine Clark. Witnesses speak to seeing her with black eyes and grab marks to her neck. 'I also note that at the time of the murder you were subject to a community payback order with a curfew and a restriction of liberty order for a previous domestic abuse conviction. here is no guarantee that you will ever be granted parole and you may never be released from prison. You are assessed as posing a very high risk to women in a relationship with you. 'You will only be released if you are considered by the parole board to pose no risk to the public, particularly women, and that is a long way off, if ever.' Kate Wallace, chief executive of Victim Support Scotland, said 'more' needs to be done to better support victims of domestic abuse in Scotland. This includes having robust risk assessments and monitoring arrangements in place when offenders are released back into communities. Victim Support Scotland argued against the removal of existing protections in the recently passed Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Act, such as Section 23D of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995. 'Section 23D set out a presumption against Bail for people accused of violent, sexual, and/or domestic abuse offences in solemn proceedings, where they had a previous conviction of a similar nature – so that they would only be granted Bail in 'exceptional' circumstances,' Ms Wallace said. 'We believe that it was an important safeguarding tool and it will be much missed in the new regulations, in which bail is expected to be granted unless the court can determine a good reason for refusing it. 'Cases like those of Maxine Clark tragically underscore the dangers of not having adequate safeguards in place. 'Victims of domestic abuse need to have the confidence to come forward for help, knowing that their fears will be taken seriously and that they will receive assistance to plan for their safety of that of their family.' If you don't feel comfortable reporting it to the Police, Victim Support Scotland can provide essential support, including financial aid if you have no other funds available. You can call its helpline 0800 160 1985 or visit its website for a free, confidential chat: Detective sergeant Ian Evans said: Detective Sergeant Ian Evans said: 'Keel is a violent individual and women are safer now he has been convicted for his crimes. 'Maxine was a beloved mum and daughter. Maxine's family miss her every day and they still feel her loss profoundly. I hope they find some solace in knowing Keel is no longer able to inflict his brutal and violent behaviour on any other women. 'We are committed to tackling violence against women and girls. I would like to assure anyone suffering at the hands of an abuser not to suffer in silence. 'We have detectives dedicated to investigating such offences, please report it. You can be assured that you will be fully supported by officers and our partner agencies.' 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Scottish Sun
17-05-2025
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
Scottish Water imposes ‘hypocritical' guidelines amid heatwave – see how it affects you
PIPE DREAM Scottish Water imposes 'hypocritical' guidelines amid heatwave – see how it affects you Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOTTISH Water have been blasted for imposing "hypocritical" water guidelines on the public while losing MILLIONS of litres every day. The country is currently going through one of its worse dry spells in decades as temperatures soar past 22C. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Scotland is going through its worst dry spell in 60 years Credit: John Kirkby 4 Rivers are running low after drying up in the heat Credit: John Kirkby 4 Scots are being urged to save water Credit: John Kirkby Reservoirs are currently sitting at 81 per cent, ten percent less than they normally are in May. It has seen the water quango urge Scots to conserve water. Alex Plant, Scottish Water's Chief Executive, said: 'We're working hard to maintain normal supplies for all customers and would ask that they use water efficiently to protect this precious resource. 'We believe that a large part of the additional water use at the moment is in gardens so we would ask that customers are mindful of how much water they use there. 'Scotland's climate is clearly changing and, as a country, we need to ensure we adapt both by investing appropriately in water infrastructure – which Scottish Water is doing - and ensuring we do what we can to use water more efficiently in our homes and businesses. 'Water is always worth saving and by taking simple steps to reduce the volume used around the home and garden we can make our country's water go even further and help maintain normal supplies.' Scottish Water's plea ended up being soaked in irony, after it emerged while urging the public to save water, they are losing millions of litres. The company's own figures revealed they lost 454 litres in a day because of leaky pipes across the country, reports The Daily Mail. Scotland's Drinking Water Quality Regulator served Scottish Water with a notice over a major maintenance backlog. Douglas Lumsden, Scottish Conservative energy and net zero spokesman, said: "Scottish Water cannot expect Scots to cut down given they are losing the equivalent of nearly 200 swimming pools each day, which people will see as completely hypocritical. "This advice will also have a major impact on our farmers who rely on water for crop production and to do their jobs. Scotland faces 25C heat surge from TODAY – but weather expert has warning for early May "Scots will be hoping that their efforts to cut down water wastage will prove more fruitful as this spell of good weather continues." Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton added: "Being told to reduce water consumption will be hard for people to swallow when Scottish Water have failed to fix underlying problems and leaky pipes." A spokesperson for Scottish Water said: "We work hard every day to find and fix leakage. How can you save water? HERE is how Scottish Water is urging people to save water: Showers and baths use the most amount of water in the home (30%). Knocking 2 minutes off your shower can save over 5,000 litres and £130 off your energy bill, each year. Cleaning our teeth with the tap running wastes 5 litres of water a minute - an instant saving by simply turning off the tap while brushing. Found a dripping tap? A dripping tap can waste over 5,500 litres of water a year so make sure taps are turned off properly or replace the washer. A leaking toilet can waste between 215 and 400 litres of water every day. Between 5 and 8% of toilets are leaking, and it is most common with dual flush toilets. So if your toilet is leaking, get it fixed as quickly as possible. Save on your energy bills by filling the kettle with only the water you need, you'll also save time waiting for the kettle to boil! Remember to wash your dishes in a basin or bowl instead of under a running tap, or if using a dishwasher wait for a full load and use the eco setting to help save not only water but energy too! Fully load your washing machine and dishwasher and use the eco-setting where possible to save water and energy. Washing clothes at 30 degrees rather than 40 degrees reduces your machine's energy consumption by 57%. Use a bucket and sponge to wash the car instead of a hosepipe. A hose wastes 1,000 litres of water an hour. Save water and nourish your plants' roots using a watering can instead. Alternatively, you can fit your hosepipe with a trigger nozzle so it only runs when you need it. Use a water butt! Did you know? Rainwater is better for your plants as there is nitrogen in the rain which helps plants thrive. A small Scottish roof collects over 45,000 litres of water each year, that's more than enough to keep your water butt topped up! Source: Scottish Water "A large proportion of the leaks we now have are small in size and nature, so harder to find and fix, and we are deploying a range of approaches and innovations to hunt them down. "About a quarter of leakage is from pipework within home owners' gardens and under driveways. We will support home owners to resolve these problems when identified.' "In addition to being criticised for its leaks, Scottish Water was ordered in 2023 to carry out an emergency clean-up of tap water supplies after they were found to pose a 'potential danger to human health'."
Scotsman
12-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Commercial contracts must be crystal clear
Business Energy Claims could be the next mis-selling scandal Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. 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... Major lenders are starting to set aside cash in anticipation of potential payouts to millions of drivers for mis-sold car finance products, with experts estimating that the bill could reach several billion pounds. But, much like the PPI scandal that came before the PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) issue was revealed, this isn't the only instance where dishonest broker practices have been uncovered. Many businesses with commercial office spaces, shops or warehouses are likely to have been engaged in historic energy contracts with hidden commission fees, which should have been disclosed. In contrast to consumers who usually shop around via comparison sites or go directly to energy suppliers, Ofgem reports that around one-third of businesses arrange contracts via a third party. Up to 3,000 brokers operate in the UK's non-domestic energy market, which was deregulated in 2000. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In theory, businesses had put their trust in an expert to find the best deal for them. However, in practice, this may have come at a price, with hidden commission benefitting both the brokers and the energy companies through inflated tariffs and increased contract lengths pushed by the brokers responsible for the deals. Some unscrupulous experts have been playing the system, says Cat McGarrell The basis of the legal case is similar to the PCP scenario; the hidden commission is viewed as a bribe, and a remedy can be sought from the briber - in this instance, the energy companies. The full extent of the issue is yet to be fully understood, but with deals dating back two decades and potential claims of up to £20,000 per business, the impact could be significant. Of course, not all brokers were involved in these types of contracts, but concerns prompted new rules to be introduced in 2022. It is now mandatory for suppliers to be much clearer about what fees are passed on to customers. The lack of informed consent is the real problem here. Even if there was wording around commission in the contract, courts have since ruled that this did not go far enough to imply informed consent, and full details should have been included. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Last December, the Energy Ombudsman introduced a framework to support small businesses to help make sense of potential claims and, where possible, avoid complex court proceedings. It covers firms with fewer than 50 employees and an annual turnover of less than £6.5 million – meaning the majority of Scottish businesses will fall under this umbrella. Importantly, it is not just private businesses potentially affected. Charities, public sector organisations and community groups with a physical space may also have been given these kinds of deals, ending up paying more than was required. The fact that this framework already exists highlights the potential scale of the issue, but the process of gathering the necessary evidence, interpreting recommendations and negotiating refunds from the energy companies could be a significant burden on a small business. If you think you may have been involved in this kind of contract via a broker, consider seeking legal advice to relieve some of the pressure. Every aspect of this case highlights the need for commercial contracts to be crystal clear. While brokers' exploitation of loopholes could result in billions of pounds in compensation, it may also have widespread impacts for the entire energy market, just like the impact of PPI and PCP on financial services.
ITV News
05-05-2025
- Health
- ITV News
John Swinney to put ‘serious action' over the NHS at the heart of his plans
John Swinney is promising 'serious action' to improve Scotland's NHS – with the First Minister pledging to tackle 'the 8am lottery' for GP appointments. With his Programme for Government statement to set out plans for a 'renewed and stronger NHS', the Scottish First Minister said his Government will seek to make improvements 'to make it easier for people to get the care they need, when they need it'. His comments came as he visited a GP practice in Dundee ahead of making his keynote address to Holyrood – with Mr Swinney acknowledging the 'deep frustration' people can feel as they try to get an appointment. The First Minister said: 'While many people's experience of their GP is excellent, for many others there is deep frustration over what has been described as the 8am lottery to make appointments. 'So we will act to reduce pressure and increase capacity in the system, to make it easier for people to get the care they need, when they need it.' He added: 'When I became First Minister a year ago, I heard loud and clear people's concerns about the NHS. 'The Programme for Government I announce today will take serious action to put the NHS on track to meet the needs of the public.' The Programme for Government which Mr Swinney will announce on Tuesday sets out his administration's policy objectives and legislation for the coming 12 months. Traditionally made in September when MSPs return after the summer recess, Mr Swinney has brought his statement forward – with this now coming a year ahead of the 2026 Holyrood elections. Ahead of the statement the Tories urged the First Minister to ditch 'Nationalists' fringe obsession with gender self-ID' and 'finally focus on the priorities of ordinary Scots'. Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton urged Mr Swinney to concentrate on 'tackling classroom violence and mending Scotland's crumbling roads'. She also said the SNP leader should be 'reducing spending on NHS managers, so that more can be spent on frontline care, to tackle the GP shortages and the deadly waiting times in A&E and cancer treatment'. Ms Hamilton said: 'John Swinney must cut out the wasteful, self-indulgent spending and have a laser-like focus on the priorities of mainstream Scotland.' Labour meanwhile said the SNP has a history of 'broken promises' to voters, on issues ranging from health, education and the environment. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: 'Like clockwork, headline-grabbing plans are made and abandoned, and ambitious targets are set and missed.' He added: 'For 18 years John Swinney has been at the heart of this failing Government and he cannot pretend otherwise. 'John Swinney was the man who broke it and now wants to pretend he is the one to fix it.' With the next Holyrood election taking place on May 7 2026, Mr Sarwar added: 'As the election approaches, the SNP will ramp up the empty promises once again but Scotland will not forget the record of failure that hangs over John Swinney and his Government.' Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie urged the First Minister to take 'meaningful action to cut child poverty and tackle the climate emergency'. He said: 'With wildfires having torn apart our iconic countryside, we need to be bold for our climate, but the Scottish Government has taken too many backward steps, from junking its target to reduce car numbers to hiking the cost of train and bus tickets. 'Scottish communities are finding themselves on the front line of the crisis. 'We need to get serious, and that means ensuring robust measures to promote public transport while introducing a credible plan to make homes cheaper and greener to heat.'
