Recent proceedings in Perth and Tayside courts have underscored a range of serious criminal activities, from distressing domestic abuse cases within our communities to deeply concerning offenses involving illegal digital content. These cases, detailed in the latest judicial summaries, highlight the ongoing efforts to uphold justice and protect vulnerable individuals across the region.
One particularly troubling case saw **William Cox**, a 68-year-old individual already subject to lifelong registration as a sex offender, receive a further extended prison sentence. Jurors at a Tayside court reached a swift verdict, finding him guilty of acquiring illicit child abuse material. The court heard that approximately 200 such files were discovered on his mobile device. His defense, which claimed he was using a Russian website for research on the conflict in Ukraine, was dismissed. This recent conviction follows a prior offense in 2016, where Cox admitted to exploiting public Wi-Fi at a Charleston library to download over 10,000 images and videos depicting child abuse. Due to the severity and nature of his repeated offenses, he will serve a two-year extended sentence, with an initial 12 months spent in custody, reinforcing the stringent Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) already in place.
In another case, highlighting the need for vigilance against financial dishonesty, **Eyyup Bugaakca**, a builder, faced justice for defrauding business owners in Montrose. The proprietors of a town centre takeaway were left with a substantial financial loss, nearly £20,000, after Bugaakca absconded with funds intended for construction materials and work, failing to deliver on his contractual obligations. He entered a guilty plea to an amended theft charge at Forfar Sheriff Court, avoiding a full trial and acknowledging his responsibility for the significant monetary losses incurred by the local business.
Perth itself was the scene for a distressing series of domestic assaults involving **Nicole Melville**, aged 37, and her partner. Over a period spanning from May 2022 to January 2024, Melville subjected her boyfriend to multiple attacks, causing him injury. These included an incident where she headbutted him during an argument, resulting in a broken nose, and another where she violently pulled a portion of his beard. Later, during a separate dispute, she also ripped a clump of hair from his scalp. Sheriff Mark O’Hanlon acknowledged the complex dynamics of the relationship, describing it as ‘toxic’ and noting that Melville herself had also been a victim within it. The court heard that Melville had reported her partner to Police Scotland on several occasions, though she claimed these were not fully investigated. Her defense highlighted her struggle with drug dependency, which she is now actively addressing. Recognizing the gravity of her actions while also considering the circumstances, the court imposed a supervision order for one year and a 163-day curfew.
Further underscoring the diverse nature of criminal activity in the area, a Perth resident, **David Owen**, recently faced sentencing for drug-related offenses. Owen, who tragically suffered severe burns to 15% of his body earlier this year following an alleged fire attack at a local house party where he was reportedly doused with lighter fluid, was found to have been involved in the supply of cannabis from his Perth home. He appeared in the dock after admitting to charges related to the dealing of cannabis on September 1 of the previous year, several months before the harrowing incident that left him with significant injuries. His case serves as a reminder of the complex personal circumstances that often intertwine with criminal proceedings in our local courts.
Meanwhile, in Angus, a pig farm worker, **Marius Streata**, aged 35, admitted to a domestically aggravated assault on his wife at their home near Monikie. The incident occurred on August 28, following an evening of drinking and watching football. The dispute escalated when his wife requested he leave, leading Streata to grab her, pull her to the ground by her hair, repeatedly slap her, and tear her clothing. His wife eventually contacted her sister, who alerted the police. Streata, a first offender, expressed remorse to social workers, acknowledging his behaviour as ‘inexcusable’ and accepting full responsibility. He revealed that the couple, who have been married for a decade and are now separated, had been jointly building a house in Romania. Sheriff Derek Reekie has ordered Streata to maintain good behaviour for the next four months, with a fine to be imposed if he abides by this period of good conduct.
These recent cases from across Tayside and Perthshire serve as a crucial insight into the legal challenges faced by our communities, from protecting children to addressing the complexities of domestic relationships and the fight against illegal substances.
One particularly troubling case saw **William Cox**, a 68-year-old individual already subject to lifelong registration as a sex offender, receive a further extended prison sentence. Jurors at a Tayside court reached a swift verdict, finding him guilty of acquiring illicit child abuse material. The court heard that approximately 200 such files were discovered on his mobile device. His defense, which claimed he was using a Russian website for research on the conflict in Ukraine, was dismissed. This recent conviction follows a prior offense in 2016, where Cox admitted to exploiting public Wi-Fi at a Charleston library to download over 10,000 images and videos depicting child abuse. Due to the severity and nature of his repeated offenses, he will serve a two-year extended sentence, with an initial 12 months spent in custody, reinforcing the stringent Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) already in place.
In another case, highlighting the need for vigilance against financial dishonesty, **Eyyup Bugaakca**, a builder, faced justice for defrauding business owners in Montrose. The proprietors of a town centre takeaway were left with a substantial financial loss, nearly £20,000, after Bugaakca absconded with funds intended for construction materials and work, failing to deliver on his contractual obligations. He entered a guilty plea to an amended theft charge at Forfar Sheriff Court, avoiding a full trial and acknowledging his responsibility for the significant monetary losses incurred by the local business.
Perth itself was the scene for a distressing series of domestic assaults involving **Nicole Melville**, aged 37, and her partner. Over a period spanning from May 2022 to January 2024, Melville subjected her boyfriend to multiple attacks, causing him injury. These included an incident where she headbutted him during an argument, resulting in a broken nose, and another where she violently pulled a portion of his beard. Later, during a separate dispute, she also ripped a clump of hair from his scalp. Sheriff Mark O’Hanlon acknowledged the complex dynamics of the relationship, describing it as ‘toxic’ and noting that Melville herself had also been a victim within it. The court heard that Melville had reported her partner to Police Scotland on several occasions, though she claimed these were not fully investigated. Her defense highlighted her struggle with drug dependency, which she is now actively addressing. Recognizing the gravity of her actions while also considering the circumstances, the court imposed a supervision order for one year and a 163-day curfew.
Further underscoring the diverse nature of criminal activity in the area, a Perth resident, **David Owen**, recently faced sentencing for drug-related offenses. Owen, who tragically suffered severe burns to 15% of his body earlier this year following an alleged fire attack at a local house party where he was reportedly doused with lighter fluid, was found to have been involved in the supply of cannabis from his Perth home. He appeared in the dock after admitting to charges related to the dealing of cannabis on September 1 of the previous year, several months before the harrowing incident that left him with significant injuries. His case serves as a reminder of the complex personal circumstances that often intertwine with criminal proceedings in our local courts.
Meanwhile, in Angus, a pig farm worker, **Marius Streata**, aged 35, admitted to a domestically aggravated assault on his wife at their home near Monikie. The incident occurred on August 28, following an evening of drinking and watching football. The dispute escalated when his wife requested he leave, leading Streata to grab her, pull her to the ground by her hair, repeatedly slap her, and tear her clothing. His wife eventually contacted her sister, who alerted the police. Streata, a first offender, expressed remorse to social workers, acknowledging his behaviour as ‘inexcusable’ and accepting full responsibility. He revealed that the couple, who have been married for a decade and are now separated, had been jointly building a house in Romania. Sheriff Derek Reekie has ordered Streata to maintain good behaviour for the next four months, with a fine to be imposed if he abides by this period of good conduct.
These recent cases from across Tayside and Perthshire serve as a crucial insight into the legal challenges faced by our communities, from protecting children to addressing the complexities of domestic relationships and the fight against illegal substances.