This past week, courtrooms across Tayside and Fife processed a range of cases, bringing forth outcomes that directly or indirectly impact the communities of Perth and Kinross. From a dangerous road incident in Broughty Ferry to a serious assault on Crieff High Street and brazen car thefts spanning Perthshire, the local justice system continues its vital work in upholding public safety and accountability.
One incident heard involved a careless driving charge against Graeme Binnie, a 42-year-old resident of Bruce Road. On December 10 of last year, while navigating Queen Street near the busy Fort Street junction in Broughty Ferry, Mr. Binnie admitted to driving without due care and attention, resulting in a collision with a pedestrian. Although initial reports suggested injuries, this detail was later removed from the formal charge. At Dundee Sheriff Court, Sheriff Neil Kinnear addressed the seriousness of the offence by imposing a £300 fine and assigning six penalty points to Mr. Binnie’s driving licence. This serves as a reminder of the constant vigilance required on our roads, particularly in areas frequented by pedestrians, a concern shared by residents commuting from Perth and Kinross to Dundee.
In another case highlighting extreme disregard for road safety, Deklin Thom, an already banned driver, appeared in court following a shocking incident in Dundee. Mr. Thom was implicated in a dangerous manoeuvre outside Bayne’s bakery on Ballindean Road. Reports indicate he deliberately reversed a BMW at high speed, nearly entrapping and crushing two women between vehicles, after reportedly threatening to ‘ram’ one of their cars. He then accelerated the vehicle recklessly across a busy thoroughfare. This alarming behaviour underscores the critical need for adherence to driving regulations to prevent potentially fatal outcomes on our region’s roads. Revised Sentencing for Fife Offender
Legal proceedings also saw a significant adjustment to the punishment of Steven Stronach, a 57-year-old from Aberdeen convicted of deeply disturbing sexual offences. Following his conviction by a jury in June, Mr. Stronach was initially placed under a three-year supervision order and ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid work. However, social workers subsequently determined him unsuitable for the assigned programme work, leading to his return to Aberdeen Sheriff Court. In response, Sheriff Graham Buchanan mandated his participation in the Aberdeen Sex Offender Project. The court noted that this alternative programme is considered less intensive, and the specifics of his supervision period may be further modified at the discretion of the social work department. Mr. Stronach, who maintained his denial of the crimes throughout the process, remains on the sex offenders register for a three-year term. He was sternly cautioned that any breach of his order would result in a two-year custodial sentence, a strong message about the ongoing commitment to public protection. Vicious Assault in Crieff Raises Local Concerns
Closer to home, the community of Crieff in Perthshire grappled with the fallout from a particularly brutal incident. Three teenagers, 19-year-old Calum Ruff, 19-year-old Daniel Paterson, and 18-year-old Jamie Clark, admitted their involvement in a ‘vicious gang attack’ on a man within the Snakatak takeaway on Crieff High Street. The assault, captured on surveillance cameras, showed the trio repeatedly striking their victim with both fists and feet. One of the accused was identified as a member of a ‘notorious Young Team,’ highlighting concerns about group violence in local public spaces. Such incidents disrupt the peace of our tight-knit communities and are met with a firm response from authorities, ensuring that Crieff residents feel safe on their High Street. Blairgowrie and Huntingtower Car Thefts Lead to Dangerous Driving Charges
Another prominent case involved Lewis Raitt, a 25-year-old from St Albans Terrace, Dundee, who admitted to multiple charges including car theft and dangerous driving. Mr. Raitt’s criminal activity began on November 18, 2023, when he stole a red Ford Fiesta from outside a property in Ashgrove Terrace, Blairgowrie, a quiet residential area in Perth and Kinross. His illicit spree continued on March 11 of last year, when he made off with an orange Ford Fiesta from Salers Way in Huntingtower, further cementing his impact on the Perthshire region.
The court heard chilling details of Mr. Raitt’s subsequent dangerous driving. He piloted the stolen vehicle at excessive speeds along major arterial routes such as the A90 and A85 – critical links for Perth and Kinross – as well as on Queen’s Bridge. His reckless behaviour included unsafe overtaking using hatched road markings, failing to obey traffic lights, and even mounting the pavement to bypass oncoming vehicles. Compounding the seriousness of his actions, the vehicle bore false registration plates. Sheriff Simon Collins underscored the gravity of these offences by deferring sentencing for background reports and imposing an interim driving ban. The Sheriff’s explicit warning that ‘custody will be at the forefront of the court’s mind’ signals the severe consequences for those who endanger the public on our local roads.
These recent cases demonstrate the continuous efforts of the justice system to address criminal behaviour and maintain peace within our communities, from the bustling streets of Dundee to the tranquil towns and rural areas of Perth and Kinross.
One incident heard involved a careless driving charge against Graeme Binnie, a 42-year-old resident of Bruce Road. On December 10 of last year, while navigating Queen Street near the busy Fort Street junction in Broughty Ferry, Mr. Binnie admitted to driving without due care and attention, resulting in a collision with a pedestrian. Although initial reports suggested injuries, this detail was later removed from the formal charge. At Dundee Sheriff Court, Sheriff Neil Kinnear addressed the seriousness of the offence by imposing a £300 fine and assigning six penalty points to Mr. Binnie’s driving licence. This serves as a reminder of the constant vigilance required on our roads, particularly in areas frequented by pedestrians, a concern shared by residents commuting from Perth and Kinross to Dundee.
In another case highlighting extreme disregard for road safety, Deklin Thom, an already banned driver, appeared in court following a shocking incident in Dundee. Mr. Thom was implicated in a dangerous manoeuvre outside Bayne’s bakery on Ballindean Road. Reports indicate he deliberately reversed a BMW at high speed, nearly entrapping and crushing two women between vehicles, after reportedly threatening to ‘ram’ one of their cars. He then accelerated the vehicle recklessly across a busy thoroughfare. This alarming behaviour underscores the critical need for adherence to driving regulations to prevent potentially fatal outcomes on our region’s roads. Revised Sentencing for Fife Offender
Legal proceedings also saw a significant adjustment to the punishment of Steven Stronach, a 57-year-old from Aberdeen convicted of deeply disturbing sexual offences. Following his conviction by a jury in June, Mr. Stronach was initially placed under a three-year supervision order and ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid work. However, social workers subsequently determined him unsuitable for the assigned programme work, leading to his return to Aberdeen Sheriff Court. In response, Sheriff Graham Buchanan mandated his participation in the Aberdeen Sex Offender Project. The court noted that this alternative programme is considered less intensive, and the specifics of his supervision period may be further modified at the discretion of the social work department. Mr. Stronach, who maintained his denial of the crimes throughout the process, remains on the sex offenders register for a three-year term. He was sternly cautioned that any breach of his order would result in a two-year custodial sentence, a strong message about the ongoing commitment to public protection. Vicious Assault in Crieff Raises Local Concerns
Closer to home, the community of Crieff in Perthshire grappled with the fallout from a particularly brutal incident. Three teenagers, 19-year-old Calum Ruff, 19-year-old Daniel Paterson, and 18-year-old Jamie Clark, admitted their involvement in a ‘vicious gang attack’ on a man within the Snakatak takeaway on Crieff High Street. The assault, captured on surveillance cameras, showed the trio repeatedly striking their victim with both fists and feet. One of the accused was identified as a member of a ‘notorious Young Team,’ highlighting concerns about group violence in local public spaces. Such incidents disrupt the peace of our tight-knit communities and are met with a firm response from authorities, ensuring that Crieff residents feel safe on their High Street. Blairgowrie and Huntingtower Car Thefts Lead to Dangerous Driving Charges
Another prominent case involved Lewis Raitt, a 25-year-old from St Albans Terrace, Dundee, who admitted to multiple charges including car theft and dangerous driving. Mr. Raitt’s criminal activity began on November 18, 2023, when he stole a red Ford Fiesta from outside a property in Ashgrove Terrace, Blairgowrie, a quiet residential area in Perth and Kinross. His illicit spree continued on March 11 of last year, when he made off with an orange Ford Fiesta from Salers Way in Huntingtower, further cementing his impact on the Perthshire region.
The court heard chilling details of Mr. Raitt’s subsequent dangerous driving. He piloted the stolen vehicle at excessive speeds along major arterial routes such as the A90 and A85 – critical links for Perth and Kinross – as well as on Queen’s Bridge. His reckless behaviour included unsafe overtaking using hatched road markings, failing to obey traffic lights, and even mounting the pavement to bypass oncoming vehicles. Compounding the seriousness of his actions, the vehicle bore false registration plates. Sheriff Simon Collins underscored the gravity of these offences by deferring sentencing for background reports and imposing an interim driving ban. The Sheriff’s explicit warning that ‘custody will be at the forefront of the court’s mind’ signals the severe consequences for those who endanger the public on our local roads.
These recent cases demonstrate the continuous efforts of the justice system to address criminal behaviour and maintain peace within our communities, from the bustling streets of Dundee to the tranquil towns and rural areas of Perth and Kinross.