A man who attacked three people in the city centre in November 2018 has been jailed.
At the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday, Peter Cameron was sentenced to a minimum of 6 years imprisonment and subject to an order for lifelong restriction following the attempted murder of two women and the serious assault of one man outside a hotel in the Grassmarket.
The judge further informed Mr Cameron that under the terms of his indeterminate sentence he must not assume he will be released at the end of the 6 year period.
Cameron, 39, approached the 59 and 62-year-old female victims as they stood within a vennel area and spoke briefly with the pair before walking off. He returned a short time later in possession of a knife and assaulted the pair, leaving them with serious injuries.
A 39-year-old male employee from the hotel then came to the women’s aid and sustained a hand injury during a struggle with Cameron, who then ran off from the area.
Gayfield CID launched a thorough investigation into the attacks and Cameron was arrested later the same evening.
He pled guilty to the attempted murder of one woman and the serious assault of the man, while he was found guilty of the second attempted murder, in court on Tuesday 18th June.
Detective Sergeant Gavin Howat from Gayfield CID said: “Peter Cameron subjected two women to a horrifically violent and unprovoked attack, and also injured another men who stepped in to help them.
“There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that, had it not been for the courageous intervention of the hotel employee, Cameron would be commencing a custodial sentence for murder.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank this individual for his selflessness and bravery, and for his assistance with our investigation, which resulted in Cameron’s arrest.
“This sentence should send a clear message that violent crime will not be tolerated in Edinburgh.”
Police are urging motorists to drive safely after a number of people were charged in connection with high level speeding offences over the bank holiday weekend.
Between Friday 8 May and Sunday 10 May, 12 men were detected driving at speeds between 93mph and 111mph on the M876 J2 near Larbert. The men, aged between 19 and 66, will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
Other notable incidents across Scotland between Friday 8 May and Monday 11 May include:
• On 8 May a 47-year-old man was detected driving at 57mph in a 30mph limit on the A803 Bonnybridge.
• On 9 May, a 46-year-old man was detected driving at 55mph in the 30mph limit also on the A803 Bonnybridge.
• Also on 9 May, a 27-year-old man was detected driving at 119mph in a 70mph limit on the A90 near Blackdog, Aberdeenshire.
• On 10 May, a 21-year-old man was detected driving at 103mph in a 70mph limit on the M8 near Euro Central.
• On 11 May, a 29-year-old man was detected driving at 101mph in a 60mph limit on the A90 near Ellon, Aberdeenshire.
Chief Superintendent Louise Blakelock, Head of Road Policing said: “The dangers of speeding are well known and have been shown time and again as being a significant factor in fatal and serious injury collisions.
“Speeding increases your risk of being involved in a collision. With the current challenges facing us just now, we need to protect the NHS and save lives, therefore, drivers need to be more cautious and consider other road users.
“The high speeds detected over the weekend show that despite the clear risks involved a minority of drivers are still willing to take their chance. Officers will continue to patrol the road network to deter and detect illegal driving behaviour in an effort to keep the public safe.
“Additionally, the stay at home message from the Scottish Government is still in place, therefore, we would ask people to consider if their journey really is essential. If it is, drive safely.”
Police are appealing for information after an armed robbery at a store in the Warriston area. The incident happened at a premises on Montagu Terrace around 7.40am this morning.
A man entered the store and presented a knife, he threatened staff to open the till and made off with a sum of cash.
The man is described as being white, aged in his early 20s, of slim build, around 6ft to 6ft 2in tall. He had a black face covering and was wearing a black hooded top with the hood up, black trousers and black gloves.
Detective Sergeant Dougal Begg, of Corstorphine CID, said: “Thankfully nobody was injured in the incident but this was a frightening experience for the member of staff.
“Enquires are ongoing to identify the man responsible, including reviewing CCTV from the area.
“Anyone who believes they may have information which could help identify the man or who was in the area at the time of the robbery is urged to contact police as soon as they can.”
Anyone with information call 101, quoting incident 0924 of 9 May, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
On Wednesday (6 May 2020), road policing officers stopped a vehicle on Ellersly Road in Murrayfield. Officers searched the car and discovered a quantity of drugs and an offensive weapon.
Two men, aged 18, and one man aged 20, were arrested and charged in connection with the incident. All three men are subject of a report of the Procurator Fiscal.
A further operation at 10:30pm that night resulted in a 19-year-old man being arrested and charged in connection with road traffic offences in Duddingston Row, Bingham where officers responded to a white Vauxhall Van being driven dangerously.
Officers stopped the car and a 19-year-old man was arrested and charged.
Inspector Roger Park of Edinburgh City Road Policing said: “We will always target road users who are a hazard on our roads and put other road users at risk. Members of the public can be assured we will continue to patrol our roads night and day to ensure they are safe for us all to use.”
Police are appealing for witnesses following an assault in the Arthur’s Seat area of Holyrood Park.
The incident happened around 7.10 pm on Saturday, 25 April, when a 53-year-old man and a 53-year-old woman sustained minor injuries.
Officers are keen to speak to three men and a woman who may be able to assist with enquiries. The suspects, who were all white and aged in their mid-20s are described as:
1) Slim built man, around 5ft 9ins tall, with short black hair and wearing a black hoody, and black jeans.
2) Stocky man with light ginger hair wearing a grey t-shirt with multi-coloured letters on and a hoody open over the top, a grey hat, and combat shorts. He had a light grey husky dog with blue eyes, wearing a dark collar.
3) Slim built man around 5ft 8ins tall. He had an English accent and had a goatee beard around the edge of his chin and dark wavy hair. He was wearing dark trousers and a bright blue t-shirt on. He was on a bike which notably had a turquoise food delivery bag on the back of it.
4) Slim built woman around 5ft 4ins tall, mid-length light brown hair just past her shoulder. She was wearing an oversized sweatshirt and black trousers. She was on a bike and had a nose ring.
There were several walkers in the area at this time and officers are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who can identify those involved.
Those with information should contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3900 of 25th April 2020, or make a call anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Police Scotland is renewing its commitment to finding the body of Suzanne Pilley, 10 years after her disappearance.
On May 4, 2010, Suzanne left her home in Whitson Road, Edinburgh to attend her place of work in Thistle Street, Edinburgh.
However, the 38-year-old failed to show up at her office and was subsequently reported missing after family and friends were unable to get in contact with her.
A major missing person investigation was launched, which subsequently became a murder inquiry.
As a result, David Gilroy was charged on June 23, 2010, before being convicted of Suzanne’s murder March 15, 2012. Gilroy, now 57, is currently serving a life sentence with a minimum of 18 years.
While Suzanne’s body was never recovered, the investigation by Edinburgh CID focussed on the Rest and Be Thankful and Argyll Forrest, where it is suspected her remains have been hidden.
Several visits to the area with extensive searching having been conducted over the past decade, based on information from the public. However, to date, her body remains missing.
For the 10-year anniversary of Suzanne’s disappearance, Police Scotland is asking for anyone who may have information that can assist with the inquiry to find Suzanne’s body, but has yet to come forward, to do so immediately.
Detective Chief Superintendent Stuart Houston, from Police Scotland’s Specialist Crime Division, said: “I am entirely confident that justice was served in terms of Suzanne’s murder. However, it is deeply regretful that, as of now, we have been unable to recover her body and bring a sense of closure to her family.
“We will continue to revisit this investigation and conduct fresh search activity in the Argyll Forest area, whenever we receive new information from the public. So, with that in mind, I’d urge anyone who believes they have any relevant information, but who hasn’t yet spoken with police, to contact us immediately.”
“Sadly, Suzanne’s father Rob passed away in February 2019 without ever knowing what happened to his daughter. We remain committed to finding these answers for Suzanne’s mother, Sylvia and sister, Gail.”
Gail Fairgrieve, Suzanne’s sister, said: “For the past decade we have lived in a state of limbo, waiting for the news that Suzanne’s body had been found, but we’ve never been able to get that closure.
“We accept that Suzanne was murdered and believe that the person responsible is in prison, but we feel we cannot say a proper goodbye until her body is found.
“Both my mother and I want to again thank the public who have continued to contact the police, which has always given us hope that Suzanne has not been forgotten. We understand that only one person can tell us where Suzanne is but has refused to do so. Police Scotland will respond to any information and are committed to bringing us some form of closure.
“Their investigation can only conclude when Suzanne is found and so I would plead with anyone who knows something but hasn’t come forward to search their conscience and get in touch. Not for our sake, but for Suzanne’s. Please let us give her the burial and send-off she deserves.”
Those with information are asked to contact Police Scotland via 101. Alternatively, an anonymous report can be made to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Social media websites are fuelling the fire of the UK’s fraud crisis by failing to clamp down on scammers selling people’s personal details through their platforms, a new Which? Money investigation reveals.
The consumer champion discovered 50 scam profiles, pages and groups across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with clear evidence of blatant criminal activity.
This included advertising stolen identities, credit card details, compromised Netflix and Uber Eats accounts and even fake passports made to order. All were found easily by searching simple, barely disguised slang terms for fraud.
With fraud cases rising by a fifth in the last year and losses to coronavirus-related scams already reaching £2 million, Which? is concerned that the results of its investigation – carried out before the outbreak took hold in the UK – highlight how lax measures to prevent the trade of personal and financial information on these platforms could be exploited by criminals looking to take advantage of the crisis.
Tthe investigation uncovered an alarming post on one illicit Facebook group, detailing the full identity of a man in Yorkshire. His full name, date of birth, address and mobile number were all listed alongside complete financial information including his credit card number, CVV number and expiry date, sort code and the name of his bank.
The post had already been up for four months when it was spotted by Which?, and the details were even being given away for free, potentially as a tactic designed to prove the seller’s credentials for future deals.
Using the open electoral roll, a researcher was able to establish that the victim had lived at the address listed in the Facebook post at least as recently as 2018, along with individuals whose names and ages implied they were his wife and adult children – demonstrating how easy it would be for a scammer to exploit the details available in the Facebook post.
Meanwhile, one fraudster on Twitter offered full credit card details of someone with a ‘£13k+ balance’ for £100, or three sets of card details for £200. Another offered a phoney passport for £3,000, which could have potentially been used as proof of ID to open bank accounts and credit cards.
Twitter’s algorithm also made it all too easy to find criminal ID sellers. After searching for and viewing such accounts, the site suggested following ones offering similar services through its “who to follow” section.
In addition, Which? found Instagram users sharing price lists detailing how much it would cost to acquire full identities, as well as ‘fraud bibles’. These comprehensive how-to guides for novice hackers and scammers explain how to create fake identities and use stolen card details.
All 50 of the groups, pages and profiles were reported to their respective social media platforms via their in-site reporting tools.
Shockingly, Facebook initially refused to remove the post containing the clearly stolen details of the Yorkshire man, on the basis that it ‘doesn’t go against one of our specific community standards’.
When Which? requested a review of the decision through the reporting tool, the post was removed, but the hacker group it was posted on remained up.
While Facebook also removed a few other isolated posts that Which? reported, when a researcher checked six days later, it had allowed every page and group to remain. Instagram and Twitter had not removed any content at all.
It was only when the content was presented to the platforms’ media representatives that it was ultimately all taken down.
Which? believes it is unacceptable for social media platforms to take such a lackadaisical attitude to the fraudulent activity taking place on their sites.
With proposed regulation of illegal and harmful content on social media platforms – such as the criminal activity exposed in this investigation – a long way from being introduced, the consumer champion is calling for the sites to take much more responsibility and be proactive in removing such content and blocking criminals.
Jenny Ross, Which? Money Editor, said: “It’s astonishing that social media sites make it so easy for criminals to trade people’s personal and financial information, particularly as fraud is such a prevalent crime that can have devastating consequences.
“Social media firms must take much stronger action to prevent their sites becoming a safe haven for scammers, and should work with the financial industry and police to address serious flaws with their platforms.
Facebook, which also owns Instagram, said: “Fraudulent activity is not tolerated on our platforms, and we have removed the groups and profiles flagged to us by Which? Money for violating our policies.
“We continue to invest in people and technology to identify and remove fraudulent content, and we urge people to report any suspicious content to us so we can take action.”
Twitter said: “It is against our rules to use scam tactics on Twitter to obtain money or private financial information.
“Where we identify violations of our rules, we take robust enforcement action. We’re constantly adapting to bad actors’ evolving methods, and will continue to iterate and improve upon our policies as the industry evolves.”
Thousands of people could be conned if they don’t pay attention, says leading tax and advisory firm Blick Rothenberg.
Fiona Fernie, a partner at the firm said: “Within hours of the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) there was significant activity by cybercriminals trying to cash in on the scheme.
“These were in the form of emails that purported to come from the Government and suggested that HMRC needed bank account details into which the grant should be paid.
“The wording most commonly used to-date is:
‘Dear customer, we wrote to you last week to help you prepare to make a claim through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. We are now writing to tell you how to access the COVID-19 relief. You will need to tell us which UK bank account you want the grant to be paid into, in order to ensure funds are paid as quickly as possible to you’.
Fiona added: “Most scams focus on obtaining the banking details of the recipient either by suggesting they can claim some kind of financial benefit from following the instructions in the correspondence, (for example a tax refund to help protect themselves from the Coronavirus outbreak, a goodwill payment from HMRC or a large sum of money in return for a set-up payment), or that they have a ‘fine’ to pay as a result of some misdemeanour: such as leaving the house more than once a day during lock down.
“The most frequent forms of communication are emails and text messages purporting to come from Government or HMRC officials and are designed to lure the recipient into precipitate action before thinking carefully about the substance of the message.
“People should be aware that neither HMRC specifically nor Government more widely communicates with individuals either by email or by text, unless you have signed up to the relevant protocol with them. Certainly, payments that can be claimed by taxpayers or fines that can be imposed are not dealt with in this way.”
Fiona warned: “The communications are designed to look entirely legitimate and as well as using official logos, fraudsters change the ‘display name’ on their email address to only show the name of the body they purport to represent. They are very clever.
“It is imperative to treat any email or text apparently received from an official body with extreme caution – if you are taken in it could be a very costly mistake.
“WhatsApp or social media messages are also used by cybercriminals and should be treated with similar caution.”
So, what should you do if you receive one of these messages?
Fiona lists below some of the things that you can do to protect yourself:
Do not reply to these emails, texts, WhatsApp or social media messages
Do not call the phone number listed in an email or text
Do not click on any links or open any attachments in emails
Do not provide any personal or financial details
If in doubt about whether an email or text is genuine, click on/hover over the ‘display name’ email address from which you have received the email. This will show you the full details of the sender and will make it clear whether the email is from a genuine Government or HMRC source
If you are in doubt about the source of one of these messages which appears to be from HMRC, forward it to them. You can do this via email at phishing@hmrc.gov.uk or via text at 60599 (network charges apply) and then delete it.
Fiona said: “In addition, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has recently launched a reporting service urging the public to forward any questionable emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. The NCSC’s automated scanning system then checks them, and immediately shuts down and removes criminal sites.
“However, there are other scams which are even less easy to spot, and which are designed to play on the other major anxiety caused by the Coronavirus pandemic – protecting our health.
“Of the over 2,000 online coronavirus scams which have been removed over the last month by the NCSC, almost 500 were fake online shops selling personal protective equipment items such as gloves and face masks which either never arrive or do not meet the required standards. Some of the sites also distribute malware which damages the computer systems of those who visit the sites.
“Even charities are at risk: some have been contacted by fraudsters claiming to be from an organisation able to provide helpful information such as a list of ‘at risk’ elderly people in the community who may require support from the charity. The recipient is then directed to click on a link leading to a fake website or a request to make a cryptocurrency (such as Bitcoin) payment, to enable the release of the information.”
Fiona said: “The messages are not confined to scams allegedly coming from this Government; one received yesterday by a colleague purported to come from the National Crime Investigation Center, USA which is part of the FBI – it was another scam.”
Dear Scam victim,
This is National Crime Investigation Center USA.
In our investigations from banks on International and National Funds Transfer (INFT) protocols in the past 10 years from all banks worldwide. We have come across your contact details and records with one of these Banks. In view of the carried investigations, we have contacted you confidentially for vital information toward your transaction with this bank. It was clear that the bank have delayed your payment thereby looking for a means to divert your fund to different individual account not belonging to you.
However, all bank officials who mishandled your transaction has been duly sacked and management dissolved and dismissed from bank work as a result of this attempt. Upon our investigation conclusion, we found out that your transaction was legitimate and for this reason, a compensation amount of $3,150,567.00 (Three million one hundred and fifty thousand, five hundred and sixty seven dollars) has been allocated to you for immediate payment through our accredited bank, Federal Reserve Escrow.
Kindly contact the compensation paying officer with the below details.
Fiona said: “Sadly, there are always those who are happy to exploit the problems of others to their own advantage. Despite the many pressures we are all under in these difficult and unprecedented times: we must be vigilant so that we do not become their victims.”
Requests under Police Scotland’s domestic abuse disclosure scheme have increased by 18 per cent since lockdown began. Nearly 260 requests for disclosure were made between the start of lockdown on 23 March to 27 April 2020, compared to 219 in 2019.
The majority of requests are being made by police officers and other professionals (including social work and NHS) raising a concern about someone they think may be at risk of domestic abuse. Police Scotland will then make a decision about whether to make a disclosure in the interests of safeguarding a person.
Assistant Chief Constable Duncan Sloan, lead for Major Crime and Public Protection, Police Scotland, said: “Domestic abuse is an ongoing threat in our local communities and there remains an increased risk as people continue to observe isolation and physical distancing guidance.
“Police Scotland will not tolerate domestic abuse, tackling it and preventing it is a priority for us and that has not changed because of COVID 19.
“Domestic abuse is seldom a one off. People who abuse are likely to do so again and again.
“Survivors of abuse tell us that isolation is a tactic perpetrators use to restrict their opportunities to seek help and support from friends and families, via websites or through social media.
“No-one should live in fear of abuse.”
https://youtu.be/QRkFxkM26FY
In the 12 months to 31 March 2020, Police Scotland received 2,648 requests for disclosure, a 66 per cent increase on the same period 2018/19 (1,596 applications).
In the same period more than 1200 disclosures were made to people indicating that their partner had an abusive past. This represents a 40 per cent increase on the same period the previous year (865 disclosures).
The Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse in Scotland remains in operation, and people can readily access the scheme if they are concerned that their partner or the partner of someone they know may have an abusive past.
ACC Sloan said: “Domestic abuse is about power and control. It can be physical or sexual, but it can include verbal, sexual, psychological or financial abuse. Offenders seek to frighten, humiliate and isolate victims from those who can offer them support.
“This is why it is so important that people understand that we are here to help now.
“Domestic abuse is everyone’s business. We want to prevent harm by identifying people who may be at risk.
“We will continue to treat reports of domestic abuse as a priority, we will listen and we will investigate. Your safety is our priority.”
If you, or anyone you know, are being abused or are at risk of abuse, please contact Police Scotland on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
Or if you need support please contact Scotland’s domestic abuse and forced marriage helpline on 0800 027 1234, where support is available 24/7.
Detectives are investigating after a man was assaulted in Edinburgh on Saturday (25 April 2020).
At around 2pm on Saturday afternoon, a 21-year-old man was in King George V Park when he was verbally abused by a group of four men. The man continued on his journey, walking towards a tunnel which leads to Broughton Road.
As the man got towards the end of the tunnel, the four suspects followed him, continuing to shout at him. They then demanded money from him before racially abusing him and assaulting him.
Suspect one is white, in his early 20s, around 6 ft. tall with a slim build. He was wearing a block hooded jacket with white lining and black jeans.
Suspect two is black, in his early 20s around 5 ft. 4 inches in height with a muscular build. He was wearing a black hooded top, blue jeans and dark coloured gloves.
Suspect three is white, in his early 20s, around 5 ft. 10 inches in height with a medium build. He was wearing a black hooded top and blue jeans.
Suspect four is black, in his early 20s, around 5 ft. 6 inches in height and wearing a dark coloured puffer jacket.
Officers continue to gather and review CCTV footage for any additional information on the suspects.
Detective Inspector Kevin Tait said: “I am appealing to anyone who was in the area around the time of the incident.
“I appreciate the number of people out and about is limited during these times but for those who were out, I would ask them to consider if they saw these men or witnessed the incident to contact us. It is unacceptable for people to be targeted in this way and we will do everything we can to trace the men responsible.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 2925 of 25 April 2020. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
