Recent court proceedings across Tayside and Fife have seen a range of cases concluded, with particular attention on individuals with connections to the Perth and Kinross area. Offences spanning drug dealing, assaults, and other serious crimes highlight the ongoing work of the justice system in the region.
One notable case involved *Callum Walker*, a 34-year-old individual from Cambuslang, who faced justice at Dunfermline Sheriff Court. Walker was previously convicted by a jury for his involvement in the supply of cocaine on Kinnoull Street in Perth on June 23, 2021. Authorities discovered over 48 grams of the Class A drug in his possession during the investigation.
During his sentencing, Walker’s defence counsel presented a compelling pre-sentencing report, indicating a significant transformation in his life since the offence. The court heard that a family tragedy and subsequent drug misuse had been the catalyst for his criminal behaviour, but he has since ‘truly turned his life around.’ He is now employed full-time in an office-based role for a renewable energy company, and his employer provided a ‘glowing’ reference. Taking into account that the offence occurred four years ago and acknowledging the lack of evidence pointing to a larger supply operation, Sheriff Krista Johnston imposed a nine-month tagging order and 100 hours of unpaid work.
Meanwhile, a resident of Blairgowrie, *Grant Low*, found himself in Dundee Sheriff Court following an incident in Broughty Ferry. Low assaulted two police officers and verbally abused them while under the influence of cocaine on the last Friday before Christmas 2024. The court heard that Low attempted to headbutt a police sergeant, narrowly missing her, and later tried to strike another PC. Given his weekly earnings of approximately £1,000, Low was deemed unsuitable for unpaid work or electronic tagging. Sheriff Gregor Murray issued a stern reprimand, stating that Low’s ‘appalling’ conduct warranted serious consequences, ultimately imposing a total fine of £1,040. Broader Justice Across the Region
Beyond Perth and Kinross, other significant cases have been brought to conclusion. In Fife, **Daniel Matheson**, a cannabis grower, was finally sentenced more than eight years after pleading guilty in June 2017. Matheson, who produced nearly £20,000 worth of cannabis at his former Kettlebridge home, had repeatedly evaded sentencing but was eventually ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work by Dundee Sheriff Court, having committed no further offences since. He is now residing in Blackpool.
Angus also saw serious matters addressed. **Lewis Webster**, a known paedophile and drug-dealer, is facing a return to prison after admitting to repeated sexual encounters with an underage girl over a four-month period. Separately, **David Cook**, a former care worker from Arbroath, admitted breaching a three-year community payback order previously imposed after he was found with child abuse images. The court heard that Cook’s engagement with rehabilitation efforts was ‘superficial’ and ‘disappointing.’ Sheriff Derek Reekie emphasized that compliance was ‘absolutely vital’ given the nature of his original offence, ordering a fresh review of the order in January and calling it a ‘wake-up call.’
In a tragic case, Montrose roofer **Rodney Shaw**, 52, was found guilty of culpable homicide. A jury convicted him of killing 30-year-old David McGuinness in Stonehaven in September 2023, following a dispute over money at a builders’ merchants yard.
Also in Fife, **Elizabeth Reid** was severely criticised by a sheriff for her ‘no insight whatsoever’ into her offending. Reid had driven with cocaine in her system when she was involved in a head-on collision in a coastal village.
These recent court summaries reflect the commitment of the justice system to addressing diverse criminal activities across Tayside and Fife, ensuring public safety and accountability within our communities.
One notable case involved *Callum Walker*, a 34-year-old individual from Cambuslang, who faced justice at Dunfermline Sheriff Court. Walker was previously convicted by a jury for his involvement in the supply of cocaine on Kinnoull Street in Perth on June 23, 2021. Authorities discovered over 48 grams of the Class A drug in his possession during the investigation.
During his sentencing, Walker’s defence counsel presented a compelling pre-sentencing report, indicating a significant transformation in his life since the offence. The court heard that a family tragedy and subsequent drug misuse had been the catalyst for his criminal behaviour, but he has since ‘truly turned his life around.’ He is now employed full-time in an office-based role for a renewable energy company, and his employer provided a ‘glowing’ reference. Taking into account that the offence occurred four years ago and acknowledging the lack of evidence pointing to a larger supply operation, Sheriff Krista Johnston imposed a nine-month tagging order and 100 hours of unpaid work.
Meanwhile, a resident of Blairgowrie, *Grant Low*, found himself in Dundee Sheriff Court following an incident in Broughty Ferry. Low assaulted two police officers and verbally abused them while under the influence of cocaine on the last Friday before Christmas 2024. The court heard that Low attempted to headbutt a police sergeant, narrowly missing her, and later tried to strike another PC. Given his weekly earnings of approximately £1,000, Low was deemed unsuitable for unpaid work or electronic tagging. Sheriff Gregor Murray issued a stern reprimand, stating that Low’s ‘appalling’ conduct warranted serious consequences, ultimately imposing a total fine of £1,040. Broader Justice Across the Region
Beyond Perth and Kinross, other significant cases have been brought to conclusion. In Fife, **Daniel Matheson**, a cannabis grower, was finally sentenced more than eight years after pleading guilty in June 2017. Matheson, who produced nearly £20,000 worth of cannabis at his former Kettlebridge home, had repeatedly evaded sentencing but was eventually ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work by Dundee Sheriff Court, having committed no further offences since. He is now residing in Blackpool.
Angus also saw serious matters addressed. **Lewis Webster**, a known paedophile and drug-dealer, is facing a return to prison after admitting to repeated sexual encounters with an underage girl over a four-month period. Separately, **David Cook**, a former care worker from Arbroath, admitted breaching a three-year community payback order previously imposed after he was found with child abuse images. The court heard that Cook’s engagement with rehabilitation efforts was ‘superficial’ and ‘disappointing.’ Sheriff Derek Reekie emphasized that compliance was ‘absolutely vital’ given the nature of his original offence, ordering a fresh review of the order in January and calling it a ‘wake-up call.’
In a tragic case, Montrose roofer **Rodney Shaw**, 52, was found guilty of culpable homicide. A jury convicted him of killing 30-year-old David McGuinness in Stonehaven in September 2023, following a dispute over money at a builders’ merchants yard.
Also in Fife, **Elizabeth Reid** was severely criticised by a sheriff for her ‘no insight whatsoever’ into her offending. Reid had driven with cocaine in her system when she was involved in a head-on collision in a coastal village.
These recent court summaries reflect the commitment of the justice system to addressing diverse criminal activities across Tayside and Fife, ensuring public safety and accountability within our communities.