Across Tayside and Fife, court proceedings continue to shed light on a range of incidents, with local cases drawing attention to the justice system’s ongoing efforts to maintain public safety and address criminal behaviour. From serious allegations in Dundee to a notable incident on a Perthshire road, the courts have been busy.
In Dundee, a recent sentencing saw a local man, Iain Gray, aged 33, receive a custodial sentence following a violent confrontation. The incident, which unfolded late one evening behind a boiler house on Elders Court, stemmed from a dispute over an alleged stolen bicycle. Prosecutors outlined how Gray produced an extendable baton, escalating the situation against an individual reportedly armed with a knife. After the skirmish, which left Gray with visible injuries, he pursued a vehicle believed to contain his aggressor, brandishing the weapon. Appearing at Dundee Sheriff Court from HMP Barlinnie, Gray admitted to charges of threatening or abusive behaviour and possessing an offensive weapon. His defence highlighted that the incident was initiated by others approaching him, asserting his bicycle was the subject of the dispute. Sheriff Alastair Carmichael underscored the gravity of carrying such weapons, imposing a combined 12-month jail term, effective from May.
Another deeply concerning matter in Dundee involves the ongoing legal process surrounding the death of Natalie Egan, a dedicated NHS worker from Fife. Calum Miller, 26, faces charges of murder and theft in connection with Ms Egan’s passing, discovered after emergency services responded to a fire at a Byron Street residence. Miller remains in custody as the case progresses through the legal system, reflecting the serious nature of the allegations. Weapon Discovery on a Perthshire Road
Closer to home, a curious incident unfolded on a Perthshire road, underscoring the unexpected ways illegal items can come to light. John Beattie, a 38-year-old father of two residing in Craighall Place, Rattray, found himself in court after a knuckleduster was discovered following a late-night vehicle collision. The accident occurred on the Coupar Angus road, a route familiar to many residents in the Perth and Kinross area.
Perth Sheriff Court heard how, in the early hours of February 25, as Beattie’s damaged vehicle was being prepared for recovery, a knuckleduster inadvertently fell from a side window onto the roadside. When questioned by police, Beattie claimed the item was for ‘decorative purposes’. His legal representative, David Holmes, informed the court that the item had been a gift, costing approximately £10. Despite the explanation, Sheriff Wood expressed bewilderment at the notion of a knuckleduster serving as a decorative piece, especially considering its inherent danger. Beattie ultimately pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon and was handed a £600 fine. This incident serves as a stark reminder to Perth and Kinross residents about the serious legal ramifications of possessing such items, regardless of their intended use or how they were acquired, particularly when they appear in public spaces and on our local roads.
Further afield, a disturbing act of violence was recounted in court, involving Keiran Macintosh, a man described as a drug-fuelled perpetrator. Macintosh was responsible for a ‘terrifying’ attack in Methil, Fife, on March 18. The court heard how he assaulted a woman from behind on a dimly lit street, dragging her to the ground and stomping on her hand to forcibly steal her handbag. This brutal incident highlights the severe consequences faced by those who resort to violence and robbery.
In Rosyth, Fife, a local man, Gerald Corrigan, 46, was given a structured deferred sentence for disorderly conduct. He had made ‘rude’ gestures towards a woman sitting in her car outside her home. The court was informed of a misunderstanding regarding the nature of the gestures, with the prosecution acknowledging that there was no significant sexual component. His defence counsel clarified the gestures involved putting up two fingers and placing his thumb to his nose with his tongue out, which his client considered a ‘wind-up’. The incident escalated when the woman’s son-in-law intervened, leading to a struggle where Corrigan attempted to punch him before being restrained until police arrived. The court heard that prior interactions between the parties had been tense. Sheriff Susan Duff’s decision for a 12-week structured deferred sentence serves as a cautionary measure, emphasizing the importance of respectful public conduct within communities.
Meanwhile, a case involving professional misconduct reached its conclusion in Dundee. Stuart McPherson, a 67-year-old senior engineer, faced charges for falsifying logbook entries at the now-defunct Tayside Aviation flight school. McPherson admitted to fabricating records, claiming he did so under duress from the company’s former management. Despite the seriousness of the fraud, he was spared a prison sentence. This outcome highlights the complexities of corporate pressure and individual accountability in the professional sphere.
Finally, repeat cannabis offences led to a significant prison term for Keanu Jordan from Dundee. Jordan, 29, was incarcerated for a year-and-a-half after persistently dealing cannabis from his residence, even after an initial police raid yielded more than four kilograms of the Class B drug. Investigations uncovered over £33,000 worth of cannabis and more than £8,300 in cash across two separate searches. Despite previous efforts to encourage him to cease his drug use, Jordan continued his illicit activities. Sheriff Alastair Carmichael stressed the substantial knowledge and control Jordan exhibited in these crimes, deeming a custodial sentence unavoidable due to the gravity and repeated nature of his offending, particularly his wilful continuation while on bail. A proceeds of crime hearing is scheduled for December to address the seized cash.
These diverse court cases from across the region underscore the vigilance of the authorities and the ongoing role of the justice system in responding to a wide spectrum of criminal activities, from community disturbances to serious violent offences, impacting residents in areas like Perth and Kinross and beyond.
In Dundee, a recent sentencing saw a local man, Iain Gray, aged 33, receive a custodial sentence following a violent confrontation. The incident, which unfolded late one evening behind a boiler house on Elders Court, stemmed from a dispute over an alleged stolen bicycle. Prosecutors outlined how Gray produced an extendable baton, escalating the situation against an individual reportedly armed with a knife. After the skirmish, which left Gray with visible injuries, he pursued a vehicle believed to contain his aggressor, brandishing the weapon. Appearing at Dundee Sheriff Court from HMP Barlinnie, Gray admitted to charges of threatening or abusive behaviour and possessing an offensive weapon. His defence highlighted that the incident was initiated by others approaching him, asserting his bicycle was the subject of the dispute. Sheriff Alastair Carmichael underscored the gravity of carrying such weapons, imposing a combined 12-month jail term, effective from May.
Another deeply concerning matter in Dundee involves the ongoing legal process surrounding the death of Natalie Egan, a dedicated NHS worker from Fife. Calum Miller, 26, faces charges of murder and theft in connection with Ms Egan’s passing, discovered after emergency services responded to a fire at a Byron Street residence. Miller remains in custody as the case progresses through the legal system, reflecting the serious nature of the allegations. Weapon Discovery on a Perthshire Road
Closer to home, a curious incident unfolded on a Perthshire road, underscoring the unexpected ways illegal items can come to light. John Beattie, a 38-year-old father of two residing in Craighall Place, Rattray, found himself in court after a knuckleduster was discovered following a late-night vehicle collision. The accident occurred on the Coupar Angus road, a route familiar to many residents in the Perth and Kinross area.
Perth Sheriff Court heard how, in the early hours of February 25, as Beattie’s damaged vehicle was being prepared for recovery, a knuckleduster inadvertently fell from a side window onto the roadside. When questioned by police, Beattie claimed the item was for ‘decorative purposes’. His legal representative, David Holmes, informed the court that the item had been a gift, costing approximately £10. Despite the explanation, Sheriff Wood expressed bewilderment at the notion of a knuckleduster serving as a decorative piece, especially considering its inherent danger. Beattie ultimately pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon and was handed a £600 fine. This incident serves as a stark reminder to Perth and Kinross residents about the serious legal ramifications of possessing such items, regardless of their intended use or how they were acquired, particularly when they appear in public spaces and on our local roads.
Further afield, a disturbing act of violence was recounted in court, involving Keiran Macintosh, a man described as a drug-fuelled perpetrator. Macintosh was responsible for a ‘terrifying’ attack in Methil, Fife, on March 18. The court heard how he assaulted a woman from behind on a dimly lit street, dragging her to the ground and stomping on her hand to forcibly steal her handbag. This brutal incident highlights the severe consequences faced by those who resort to violence and robbery.
In Rosyth, Fife, a local man, Gerald Corrigan, 46, was given a structured deferred sentence for disorderly conduct. He had made ‘rude’ gestures towards a woman sitting in her car outside her home. The court was informed of a misunderstanding regarding the nature of the gestures, with the prosecution acknowledging that there was no significant sexual component. His defence counsel clarified the gestures involved putting up two fingers and placing his thumb to his nose with his tongue out, which his client considered a ‘wind-up’. The incident escalated when the woman’s son-in-law intervened, leading to a struggle where Corrigan attempted to punch him before being restrained until police arrived. The court heard that prior interactions between the parties had been tense. Sheriff Susan Duff’s decision for a 12-week structured deferred sentence serves as a cautionary measure, emphasizing the importance of respectful public conduct within communities.
Meanwhile, a case involving professional misconduct reached its conclusion in Dundee. Stuart McPherson, a 67-year-old senior engineer, faced charges for falsifying logbook entries at the now-defunct Tayside Aviation flight school. McPherson admitted to fabricating records, claiming he did so under duress from the company’s former management. Despite the seriousness of the fraud, he was spared a prison sentence. This outcome highlights the complexities of corporate pressure and individual accountability in the professional sphere.
Finally, repeat cannabis offences led to a significant prison term for Keanu Jordan from Dundee. Jordan, 29, was incarcerated for a year-and-a-half after persistently dealing cannabis from his residence, even after an initial police raid yielded more than four kilograms of the Class B drug. Investigations uncovered over £33,000 worth of cannabis and more than £8,300 in cash across two separate searches. Despite previous efforts to encourage him to cease his drug use, Jordan continued his illicit activities. Sheriff Alastair Carmichael stressed the substantial knowledge and control Jordan exhibited in these crimes, deeming a custodial sentence unavoidable due to the gravity and repeated nature of his offending, particularly his wilful continuation while on bail. A proceeds of crime hearing is scheduled for December to address the seized cash.
These diverse court cases from across the region underscore the vigilance of the authorities and the ongoing role of the justice system in responding to a wide spectrum of criminal activities, from community disturbances to serious violent offences, impacting residents in areas like Perth and Kinross and beyond.