Courts across Tayside and Fife have recently concluded a series of significant cases, shining a light on a range of offences impacting communities, with several having direct resonance for residents of Perth and Kinross. Drunken Driving Endangers Lives Near Perth
A recent court hearing detailed the dangerous actions of Dale Thomson-Reid, a former care home manager and qualified nurse, who narrowly avoided causing serious harm after crashing his car in Guardbridge, Fife. The incident, occurring on Old St Andrews Road around 1:30 AM on August 20, revealed Thomson-Reid to be almost five times over the legal drink-drive limit. This alarming level of intoxication underscores the severe risks posed by impaired driving on our local roads, affecting communities like Perth, which are just a short drive from such incidents.
During proceedings, Sheriff Tim Niven-Smith emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that it was ‘by the grace of God’ that Thomson-Reid did not inflict serious injury upon himself or others. Given a previous drink-driving conviction over a decade ago, the court noted Thomson-Reid’s efforts to address his alcohol issues and his departure from his care home management role. He received a two-year driving ban and was ordered to complete 126 hours of unpaid work, a stark reminder of the legal repercussions for such reckless behaviour. Tragic Loss Linked to Drug Dealing
The Dundee Sheriff Court heard the devastating details surrounding the death of 16-year-old Lennix Hughes, who passed away after ingesting ecstasy supplied by her boyfriend, Jay Conway. The tragic incident in March 2023, where Ms Hughes quickly became critically ill at Conway’s home before being pronounced dead at Ninewells Hospital – a key regional medical facility serving Perth and Kinross – highlights the profound dangers of illicit drug use and dealing within our youth communities. Jay Conway has since admitted to two counts of drug dealing, with his sentencing scheduled for January, bringing some measure of accountability to this heartbreaking loss. Violent Assault at Angus Holiday Park
Piperdam Golf and Country Club, a popular resort frequently visited by residents from Perth and Dundee, was the scene of a brutal glass attack during a hen weekend. Amanda Baillie, 40, a Glasgow resident, left her victim permanently scarred after smashing a glass into her face on April 12. The assault, driven by Baillie’s belief that she was being bullied, resulted in significant injuries including a laceration to the nose bridge and cuts above her left brow and cheek. Sheriff Paul Brown imposed a 300-hour unpaid work order and a 12-month Restriction of Liberty Order (7pm-7am) as a direct alternative to custody, reflecting the serious nature of the permanent disfigurement caused by the unprovoked violence. Call for Enhanced Road Safety After Fatal Collision
In a case that underscores the critical importance of road safety, Gordon Telford, a pickup driver responsible for the death of a 93-year-old woman in Broughty Ferry, has since become an advocate for pedestrian crossings. Following his admission to causing death by careless driving, Telford has actively lobbied local politicians to implement enhanced safety measures. This proactive stance, born from tragedy, resonates with Perth and Kinross communities, where pedestrian safety, particularly for older residents, remains a significant concern in both town centres and quieter residential streets. Cannabis Middleman Jailed in Organised Crime Network
A sophisticated Scotland-wide cannabis cultivation network, extending its reach to areas including St Andrews and Angus (both frequently visited by Perthshire residents) as well as Aberdeen, has been disrupted, leading to a five-year jail sentence for 29-year-old illegal immigrant Afrim Krasniqi. Krasniqi’s unique role as a ‘middleman’ involved leveraging his English language skills to deceive landlords with fake identity documents, securing properties for the Albanian criminal gang to convert into lucrative cannabis farms. Police calculated the potential value of the drugs produced to be a staggering £876,810.
Sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow, Krasniqi had pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis between March 2021 and September 2023. Lord Arthurson described the operation as a ‘large-scale and carefully planned criminal enterprise.’ His defence counsel, Iain McSporran KC, explained that Krasniqi, an ‘illegal entrant’ who left Albania in 2016, had a better grasp of English than other members of the gang and was recruited due to his financial difficulties. He facilitated the criminal enterprise but was not involved in the cultivation itself, illustrating the diverse roles within organised crime and the severe penalties for participation. Stripper Avoids Jail for Perthshire Hen Party Assault
In a case locally relevant to Perthshire, a male stripper, Stuart Kennedy, recently avoided a custodial sentence for sexually assaulting a bride-to-be during a hen party at a Crieff Hydro lodge. Kennedy, performing as a firefighter, subjected his distressed victim to an inappropriate routine, which included grabbing and ‘jiggling’ her breasts and making her drink through a penis-shaped straw. The incident, occurring at a well-known Perthshire venue, highlighted a serious breach of professional conduct and personal boundaries.
Following his conviction at Perth Sheriff Court, Kennedy announced his retirement from the stripping profession. This outcome serves as a stark reminder of the importance of consent and respect in all forms of entertainment, even those considered risqué, particularly within the close-knit communities of Perth and Kinross. Probe into Prison Death at Perth Facility
A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) is set to commence next year into the death of Wieslaw Piotrowski, a sex offender who died at Perth Prison merely weeks into a 30-month sentence. Piotrowski, a 62-year-old Polish national, was jailed in December 2021 after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a ‘totally wrecked’ woman he had taken to his home near Scone after bundling her into a taxi from Perth city centre. The taxi driver, unaware of Piotrowski’s intentions, initially believed he was an angry father retrieving his drunken daughter. The victim awoke in Piotrowski’s bed during the assault.
The FAI preliminary hearing, scheduled for January 15 at the Dundee Justice Hub, will meticulously examine the circumstances surrounding Piotrowski’s death on February 12, 2022. These inquiries are crucial for ensuring transparency and accountability within the justice system, particularly for incidents occurring within facilities like Perth Prison, which is a significant employer and institution in the Perth and Kinross area.
A recent court hearing detailed the dangerous actions of Dale Thomson-Reid, a former care home manager and qualified nurse, who narrowly avoided causing serious harm after crashing his car in Guardbridge, Fife. The incident, occurring on Old St Andrews Road around 1:30 AM on August 20, revealed Thomson-Reid to be almost five times over the legal drink-drive limit. This alarming level of intoxication underscores the severe risks posed by impaired driving on our local roads, affecting communities like Perth, which are just a short drive from such incidents.
During proceedings, Sheriff Tim Niven-Smith emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that it was ‘by the grace of God’ that Thomson-Reid did not inflict serious injury upon himself or others. Given a previous drink-driving conviction over a decade ago, the court noted Thomson-Reid’s efforts to address his alcohol issues and his departure from his care home management role. He received a two-year driving ban and was ordered to complete 126 hours of unpaid work, a stark reminder of the legal repercussions for such reckless behaviour. Tragic Loss Linked to Drug Dealing
The Dundee Sheriff Court heard the devastating details surrounding the death of 16-year-old Lennix Hughes, who passed away after ingesting ecstasy supplied by her boyfriend, Jay Conway. The tragic incident in March 2023, where Ms Hughes quickly became critically ill at Conway’s home before being pronounced dead at Ninewells Hospital – a key regional medical facility serving Perth and Kinross – highlights the profound dangers of illicit drug use and dealing within our youth communities. Jay Conway has since admitted to two counts of drug dealing, with his sentencing scheduled for January, bringing some measure of accountability to this heartbreaking loss. Violent Assault at Angus Holiday Park
Piperdam Golf and Country Club, a popular resort frequently visited by residents from Perth and Dundee, was the scene of a brutal glass attack during a hen weekend. Amanda Baillie, 40, a Glasgow resident, left her victim permanently scarred after smashing a glass into her face on April 12. The assault, driven by Baillie’s belief that she was being bullied, resulted in significant injuries including a laceration to the nose bridge and cuts above her left brow and cheek. Sheriff Paul Brown imposed a 300-hour unpaid work order and a 12-month Restriction of Liberty Order (7pm-7am) as a direct alternative to custody, reflecting the serious nature of the permanent disfigurement caused by the unprovoked violence. Call for Enhanced Road Safety After Fatal Collision
In a case that underscores the critical importance of road safety, Gordon Telford, a pickup driver responsible for the death of a 93-year-old woman in Broughty Ferry, has since become an advocate for pedestrian crossings. Following his admission to causing death by careless driving, Telford has actively lobbied local politicians to implement enhanced safety measures. This proactive stance, born from tragedy, resonates with Perth and Kinross communities, where pedestrian safety, particularly for older residents, remains a significant concern in both town centres and quieter residential streets. Cannabis Middleman Jailed in Organised Crime Network
A sophisticated Scotland-wide cannabis cultivation network, extending its reach to areas including St Andrews and Angus (both frequently visited by Perthshire residents) as well as Aberdeen, has been disrupted, leading to a five-year jail sentence for 29-year-old illegal immigrant Afrim Krasniqi. Krasniqi’s unique role as a ‘middleman’ involved leveraging his English language skills to deceive landlords with fake identity documents, securing properties for the Albanian criminal gang to convert into lucrative cannabis farms. Police calculated the potential value of the drugs produced to be a staggering £876,810.
Sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow, Krasniqi had pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis between March 2021 and September 2023. Lord Arthurson described the operation as a ‘large-scale and carefully planned criminal enterprise.’ His defence counsel, Iain McSporran KC, explained that Krasniqi, an ‘illegal entrant’ who left Albania in 2016, had a better grasp of English than other members of the gang and was recruited due to his financial difficulties. He facilitated the criminal enterprise but was not involved in the cultivation itself, illustrating the diverse roles within organised crime and the severe penalties for participation. Stripper Avoids Jail for Perthshire Hen Party Assault
In a case locally relevant to Perthshire, a male stripper, Stuart Kennedy, recently avoided a custodial sentence for sexually assaulting a bride-to-be during a hen party at a Crieff Hydro lodge. Kennedy, performing as a firefighter, subjected his distressed victim to an inappropriate routine, which included grabbing and ‘jiggling’ her breasts and making her drink through a penis-shaped straw. The incident, occurring at a well-known Perthshire venue, highlighted a serious breach of professional conduct and personal boundaries.
Following his conviction at Perth Sheriff Court, Kennedy announced his retirement from the stripping profession. This outcome serves as a stark reminder of the importance of consent and respect in all forms of entertainment, even those considered risqué, particularly within the close-knit communities of Perth and Kinross. Probe into Prison Death at Perth Facility
A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) is set to commence next year into the death of Wieslaw Piotrowski, a sex offender who died at Perth Prison merely weeks into a 30-month sentence. Piotrowski, a 62-year-old Polish national, was jailed in December 2021 after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a ‘totally wrecked’ woman he had taken to his home near Scone after bundling her into a taxi from Perth city centre. The taxi driver, unaware of Piotrowski’s intentions, initially believed he was an angry father retrieving his drunken daughter. The victim awoke in Piotrowski’s bed during the assault.
The FAI preliminary hearing, scheduled for January 15 at the Dundee Justice Hub, will meticulously examine the circumstances surrounding Piotrowski’s death on February 12, 2022. These inquiries are crucial for ensuring transparency and accountability within the justice system, particularly for incidents occurring within facilities like Perth Prison, which is a significant employer and institution in the Perth and Kinross area.