Recent court proceedings across Tayside and Fife have brought to light a series of significant cases, underscoring the ongoing efforts of the justice system to maintain public safety and uphold the law. From serious financial crimes with a Perthshire connection to harrowing incidents of violence and tragic road fatalities, these cases offer a glimpse into the diverse challenges faced by communities throughout the region, including our own in Perth and Kinross.
One notable case with direct links to Perthshire involved Lee Gilmour, a 34-year-old individual who faced legal repercussions for his role in transporting a substantial sum of illicit cash. Gilmour was observed by law enforcement officers in Dundee, where he received a rucksack believed to contain a considerable amount of banknotes from an associate. The police swiftly initiated a pursuit, tailing Gilmour’s Mercedes Benz onto the A90 in Perthshire. It was on this major artery, a route familiar to many Perth residents, that his vehicle was intercepted and the rucksack, later confirmed to hold approximately £130,000 in criminal proceeds, was recovered.
Both Gilmour and his associate, Alexander Glen, aged 30, admitted guilt earlier this year to charges of possessing criminal property, specifically relating to an incident in October 2022. During their sentencing in September, both individuals narrowly avoided immediate imprisonment. Instead, they were subjected to nine-month Restriction of Liberty Orders, which mandated that they remain at their respective residences between 7 PM and 7 AM for the initial three-month period. Additionally, Gilmour was ordered to complete 280 hours of unpaid community work.
In a subsequent appearance at Perth Sheriff Court, Gilmour sought a modification to his curfew hours, requesting permission to extend his time outdoors on November 5th, presumably to participate in Bonfire Night festivities. However, Sheriff Jennifer Bain KC firmly rejected this application. The Sheriff highlighted that the original sentence had been imposed as a direct alternative to a custodial term, emphasizing that had Gilmour been incarcerated, attending such an event would have been impossible. This decision sends a clear message regarding the seriousness of financial crimes and the firm stance of the courts in upholding non-custodial sanctions.
Elsewhere in the region, the courts dealt with incidents of alarming violence. Stephen Gray, for instance, was involved in two separate robbery incidents within Fife within a single month. In one instance, a taxi driver in Kirkcaldy was subjected to a terrifying ordeal, put in a headlock, and robbed of money. Shortly after, Gray forcibly removed a delivery driver from her vehicle outside a Chinese takeaway in Lochgelly, making off with her car. In the aftermath of these crimes, co-accused Shannon Harrower was later apprehended attempting to use the victim’s stolen bank card to purchase cigarettes and food items. Such brazen acts of violence, though occurring outside Perth’s immediate vicinity, serve as a stark reminder of the importance of community vigilance and the broad reach of criminal activity across the central belt.
Dundee Sheriff Court recently concluded a particularly disturbing case of domestic abuse involving Craig Cathro, 32. After several days of a cocaine-induced wakefulness, Cathro violently forced his way into his former partner’s flat in the early hours. Accusations of infidelity escalated into a brutal assault where he straddled her, smothering her face with a blanket and restricting her breathing. The victim, fearing for her life, managed to escape in her pyjamas and sought refuge at a nearby Morrisons supermarket. Police found her visibly shaken, with a bruised cheek and scratched shoulder. Following his release on bail, Cathro flagrantly breached conditions by attempting to contact the woman through a third party and later, was captured on video shouting towards her flat. On the day of his trial, Cathro, who has a history of previous convictions and served multiple jail terms, admitted to the domestic violence charge and bail breaches. Sheriff Tim Niven-Smith sentenced Cathro to 28 months in prison, describing him as a “violent, in her words, beast and a bully.” A 10-year non-harassment order was also imposed, reflecting the court’s commitment to protecting victims of domestic abuse.
Tragedy also struck on the roads near Stirling, a short distance from Perth. The trial has commenced for Charles Gray, 19, who stands accused of causing the death of two young passengers, Kyle Marshall, 19, and Jayden McConnell, 17, through careless driving. A paramedic who arrived at the scene by chance recounted finding the two teenagers had already succumbed to their injuries. This heartbreaking case highlights the severe and irreversible consequences of reckless driving, a message that resonates deeply with all road users across Perth and Kinross, particularly on the busy routes that criss-cross our region.
Child protection was at the forefront of another significant sentencing in Kirkcaldy. James Haggerty, a 26-year-old registered sex offender, was sent back to prison after abducting a 13-year-old girl shortly after his early release from a previous sentence. The girl’s family, using a phone application, managed to trace her to Haggerty’s Glenrothes home, where they were forced to break in to rescue her. She was discovered hidden under covers on a mattress. The court heard the girl had initially gone to the address willingly with another 16-year-old, who subsequently left. Haggerty then locked her inside, physically assaulting and detaining her against her will. His evasion of police led to a two-hour siege the following day. Sheriff Steven Borthwick imposed an extended sentence of two years’ custody, followed by a year of supervision, noting Haggerty’s admission to breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) and the charges of abduction and assault.
Industrial safety was also a key theme in a substantial fine imposed on Altrad Babcock, a firm that was undertaking refurbishment work at the Mossmorran plant in Fife. The company, previously known as Doosan Babcock, admitted liability for severe health and safety breaches that resulted in a worker sustaining a triple skull fracture and a broken shoulder after being hit by a 130kg section of coil. The firm was ordered to pay nearly £1 million. This hefty penalty serves as a powerful reminder to all industries, including those operating in and around Perth, of the critical importance of stringent safety protocols to protect employees from preventable accidents.
Finally, within the walls of Perth Prison, another case shed light on the challenges of maintaining security in correctional facilities. Ryan Ogilvie, a 37-year-old inmate and prolific thief, was found to be in possession of a sharpened piece of plastic cutlery during a routine cell search in August of last year. Ogilvie claimed he armed himself for self-protection after a recent attempt on his life and alleged that prison authorities had not provided adequate safeguarding measures. Despite his explanation, Sheriff George Way, acknowledging Ogilvie’s extensive criminal history, sentenced him to an additional 14 months behind bars. The Sheriff emphasized the inherent dangers of inmates taking matters into their own hands, reinforcing the need for strict adherence to prison regulations to ensure the safety and order of the institution.
Collectively, these cases from across Tayside, Fife, and Perthshire highlight the dynamic and often challenging work of the judicial system. They serve as important markers for community safety, reminding residents of Perth and Kinross about the ongoing vigilance required to protect vulnerable individuals, maintain public order, and ensure that justice is served across our local communities.
One notable case with direct links to Perthshire involved Lee Gilmour, a 34-year-old individual who faced legal repercussions for his role in transporting a substantial sum of illicit cash. Gilmour was observed by law enforcement officers in Dundee, where he received a rucksack believed to contain a considerable amount of banknotes from an associate. The police swiftly initiated a pursuit, tailing Gilmour’s Mercedes Benz onto the A90 in Perthshire. It was on this major artery, a route familiar to many Perth residents, that his vehicle was intercepted and the rucksack, later confirmed to hold approximately £130,000 in criminal proceeds, was recovered.
Both Gilmour and his associate, Alexander Glen, aged 30, admitted guilt earlier this year to charges of possessing criminal property, specifically relating to an incident in October 2022. During their sentencing in September, both individuals narrowly avoided immediate imprisonment. Instead, they were subjected to nine-month Restriction of Liberty Orders, which mandated that they remain at their respective residences between 7 PM and 7 AM for the initial three-month period. Additionally, Gilmour was ordered to complete 280 hours of unpaid community work.
In a subsequent appearance at Perth Sheriff Court, Gilmour sought a modification to his curfew hours, requesting permission to extend his time outdoors on November 5th, presumably to participate in Bonfire Night festivities. However, Sheriff Jennifer Bain KC firmly rejected this application. The Sheriff highlighted that the original sentence had been imposed as a direct alternative to a custodial term, emphasizing that had Gilmour been incarcerated, attending such an event would have been impossible. This decision sends a clear message regarding the seriousness of financial crimes and the firm stance of the courts in upholding non-custodial sanctions.
Elsewhere in the region, the courts dealt with incidents of alarming violence. Stephen Gray, for instance, was involved in two separate robbery incidents within Fife within a single month. In one instance, a taxi driver in Kirkcaldy was subjected to a terrifying ordeal, put in a headlock, and robbed of money. Shortly after, Gray forcibly removed a delivery driver from her vehicle outside a Chinese takeaway in Lochgelly, making off with her car. In the aftermath of these crimes, co-accused Shannon Harrower was later apprehended attempting to use the victim’s stolen bank card to purchase cigarettes and food items. Such brazen acts of violence, though occurring outside Perth’s immediate vicinity, serve as a stark reminder of the importance of community vigilance and the broad reach of criminal activity across the central belt.
Dundee Sheriff Court recently concluded a particularly disturbing case of domestic abuse involving Craig Cathro, 32. After several days of a cocaine-induced wakefulness, Cathro violently forced his way into his former partner’s flat in the early hours. Accusations of infidelity escalated into a brutal assault where he straddled her, smothering her face with a blanket and restricting her breathing. The victim, fearing for her life, managed to escape in her pyjamas and sought refuge at a nearby Morrisons supermarket. Police found her visibly shaken, with a bruised cheek and scratched shoulder. Following his release on bail, Cathro flagrantly breached conditions by attempting to contact the woman through a third party and later, was captured on video shouting towards her flat. On the day of his trial, Cathro, who has a history of previous convictions and served multiple jail terms, admitted to the domestic violence charge and bail breaches. Sheriff Tim Niven-Smith sentenced Cathro to 28 months in prison, describing him as a “violent, in her words, beast and a bully.” A 10-year non-harassment order was also imposed, reflecting the court’s commitment to protecting victims of domestic abuse.
Tragedy also struck on the roads near Stirling, a short distance from Perth. The trial has commenced for Charles Gray, 19, who stands accused of causing the death of two young passengers, Kyle Marshall, 19, and Jayden McConnell, 17, through careless driving. A paramedic who arrived at the scene by chance recounted finding the two teenagers had already succumbed to their injuries. This heartbreaking case highlights the severe and irreversible consequences of reckless driving, a message that resonates deeply with all road users across Perth and Kinross, particularly on the busy routes that criss-cross our region.
Child protection was at the forefront of another significant sentencing in Kirkcaldy. James Haggerty, a 26-year-old registered sex offender, was sent back to prison after abducting a 13-year-old girl shortly after his early release from a previous sentence. The girl’s family, using a phone application, managed to trace her to Haggerty’s Glenrothes home, where they were forced to break in to rescue her. She was discovered hidden under covers on a mattress. The court heard the girl had initially gone to the address willingly with another 16-year-old, who subsequently left. Haggerty then locked her inside, physically assaulting and detaining her against her will. His evasion of police led to a two-hour siege the following day. Sheriff Steven Borthwick imposed an extended sentence of two years’ custody, followed by a year of supervision, noting Haggerty’s admission to breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) and the charges of abduction and assault.
Industrial safety was also a key theme in a substantial fine imposed on Altrad Babcock, a firm that was undertaking refurbishment work at the Mossmorran plant in Fife. The company, previously known as Doosan Babcock, admitted liability for severe health and safety breaches that resulted in a worker sustaining a triple skull fracture and a broken shoulder after being hit by a 130kg section of coil. The firm was ordered to pay nearly £1 million. This hefty penalty serves as a powerful reminder to all industries, including those operating in and around Perth, of the critical importance of stringent safety protocols to protect employees from preventable accidents.
Finally, within the walls of Perth Prison, another case shed light on the challenges of maintaining security in correctional facilities. Ryan Ogilvie, a 37-year-old inmate and prolific thief, was found to be in possession of a sharpened piece of plastic cutlery during a routine cell search in August of last year. Ogilvie claimed he armed himself for self-protection after a recent attempt on his life and alleged that prison authorities had not provided adequate safeguarding measures. Despite his explanation, Sheriff George Way, acknowledging Ogilvie’s extensive criminal history, sentenced him to an additional 14 months behind bars. The Sheriff emphasized the inherent dangers of inmates taking matters into their own hands, reinforcing the need for strict adherence to prison regulations to ensure the safety and order of the institution.
Collectively, these cases from across Tayside, Fife, and Perthshire highlight the dynamic and often challenging work of the judicial system. They serve as important markers for community safety, reminding residents of Perth and Kinross about the ongoing vigilance required to protect vulnerable individuals, maintain public order, and ensure that justice is served across our local communities.