David Graham, a former Labour Party councillor, was found guilty yesterday (23 July, 2025), following a trial at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.
The offences took place at various locations in Fife and Edinburgh between February and August, 2023.
The Fife councillor, who was suspended by the Labour Party two years ago, will be sentenced at a later date.
Detective Inspector Graham Watson said: “Graham is a manipulative individual who groomed and sexually abused his teenage victim.
“He was well-known and in a position of power when the offending took place.
“I would like to thank the female for her assistance in bringing him to justice.
“We remain committed to investigating all reports of sexual crime and would encourage anyone affected to report it.
“Every report is taken seriously and will be fully investigated, no matter how much time has passed, with support from our specially trained officers and partner agencies.”
Motorists across the UK are being urged to stay vigilant as “crash-for-cash” scams continue to rise – with fraudsters deliberately causing rear-end collisions to cash in on bogus insurance claims.
According to the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB), over 170,000 claims linked to suspected crash-for-cash incidents have been made in recent years – costing the UK industry hundreds of millions and pushing up premiums for honest drivers.
Legal expert Adam Jones from HD Claims warns that these staged accidents are often designed to make innocent drivers look responsible, particularly by slamming on brakes in congested traffic or at roundabouts.
“Many of these scams are carefully choreographed to leave you thinking you were at fault,” says Jones. “You may feel you were too close or distracted, but in reality, the collision was intentional. It’s financial exploitation – and in some cases, extremely dangerous.”
Telltale signs you’re being set up for a rear-end scam:
The other car’s brake lights are faulty or deliberately disabled
The driver is erratic, braking sharply or hesitating at junctions
The car is full of passengers – who all later claim whiplash
The other driver tries to talk you out of calling the police
They provide pre-written insurance details or urge you to use their “preferred” repair garage.
Other roadside scams to watch out for in 2025:
False damage claims: Fraudsters may claim you scraped their car in a car park, showing fake dents or photos from a previous incident.
Staged pedestrian accidents: A person may jump in front of your slow-moving car to fake injury.
Vehicle obstruction thefts: Drivers are blocked in by a second car while someone tries to steal valuables from the passenger side.
Fake breakdown helpers: In remote areas, con artists may offer help then demand cash or card payment on the spot.
What to do if you suspect a scam:
Stay calm and don’t admit fault at the scene
Photograph everything – car positions, damage, number plates, road signs, passengers
Call the police if anything feels suspicious
Never accept cash offers or sign anything without checking it first
Report it to your insurer and the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) Cheatline
“Crash-for-cash fraud doesn’t just cost drivers money – it can cause injury, anxiety, and serious legal consequences,” Adam Jones adds.
“If something feels off, document everything and get legal advice immediately.”
Police have released an image of a man they believe may be able to assist with their investigation into a serious assault in Edinburgh that took place on Clifton Terrace around 12am on Sunday, 2 February 2025.
The man in the image is described as white, in his late 20s to mid-30s and of slim build. He was wearing a dark blue jacket, black jogging bottoms, white trainers, a black Adidas rucksack and a dark coloured baseball cap.
Detective Sergeant Mark Asquith said: “We would encourage this man, anyone who may recognise him, or anyone with information about this incident to get in touch.”
Anyone who can assist is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting reference number 0034 of 2 February 2025. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
A 39-year-old man has been arrested and charged following the recovery of drugs with an estimated street value in excess of £347,760, in South West Edinburgh.
Around 12pm on Wednesday, 9 July 2025, officers acting on information received searched a flat in Calder Road where they found a cannabis cultivation.
The man was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday and a report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
The Prime Minister and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed to take forward a groundbreaking partnership to address illegal Channel crossings and dismantle the people smuggling networks.
A new pilot scheme will see small boat arrivals being returned to France then an equal number of migrants will be able to come to the UK from France through a new legal route – fully documented and subject to strict security checks.
The pilot agreement is intended to prevent illegal migrant journeys across Europe to the UK and prevent dangerous small boat crossings, helping to undermine the business model of organised gangs profiting from people’s misery by showing others these journeys could result in them being returned back to France – ultimately saving lives.
Both countries are working to implement the pilot in the coming weeks, and, once in force, migrants who cross the Channel by small boat can be detained and removed.
The Prime Minister has made it a priority to reset relationships across Europe and the government is now unlocking, for the first time, the levels of co-operation needed to deliver new and bold approaches to tackle organised immigration crime.
The French government are working to implement new ways of cracking down on small boats, including a review of their maritime tactics so their operational teams can intervene on the water, ensuring taxi boats that pickup migrants waiting in the water can be stopped.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “This ground-breaking deal is a crucial further step in turning the tide on illegal small boat crossings and restoring order to our immigration system.
“For the first time illegal migrants will be sent back to France – targeting the heart of these gangs’ business model and sending a clear message that these life-threatening journeys are pointless.
“By resetting our relationships across Europe we’ve made levels of co-operation possible never seen before. This is about grip not gimmicks, and what serious government looks like – taking down these criminal enterprises piece by piece as we secure our borders through my Plan for Change.”
The Home Secretary hosted her French counterpart, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, in Downing Street yesterday. The ministers discussed the work being done both internationally and domestically to prevent illegal migration, including issues like clamping down on illegal working and increasing removals of those with no right to be here.
Since the government came into power, Immigration Enforcement have increased illegal working activity by 51%, with 10,031 visits leading to 7,130 arrests, and will soon undertake a major nationwide blitz targeting illegal working hotspots, focusing on the gig economy and migrants working as delivery riders.
The UK will go further by changing the law to support a clampdown on illegal working in the gig economy. New biometric kits will be rolled out for Immigration Enforcement teams so they can do on-the-spot checks.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Dangerous small boats in our Channel undermine our border security and put lives at risk.
“That is why we are so determined to work with France to go after the criminal smuggler gangs, to undermine their business model, to begin returns and to prevent boat crossings.
“This new pilot agreement with France is extremely important and allows us for the first time to return people who have paid to travel here illegally, and will sit alongside our wider joint enforcement action, including disrupting supply chains to seize boats and engines, shutting down social media accounts, and targeting finances.
“Since last summer, we have returned over 30,000 people with no right to be in the UK and a major surge in immigration enforcement activity, with a 51% increase in the number of illegal working arrests.
“We are building the foundations of a new and stronger approach to protecting our border security.”
Under the new UK-France pilot, any asylum claim submitted by a migrant who has crossed the Channel will be considered for inadmissibility and, if declared inadmissible, the Home Office will organise readmission of the individual to France.
For those coming to the UK legally, an individual in France will submit an Expression of Interest application to the new route and the Home Office will make a decision once they have undergone biometric checks. Anyone who had arrived by small boat and returned to France will not be eligible for the legal route to the UK.
The innovative approach will be tested first before being gradually ‘ramped up’.
Specialist insurer recommends heritage property owners take security steps this summer
Caution urged after 2024 survey reveals nine in ten heritage properties affected by crime
Clackmannan Tower a victim of graffiti attack in April 2025 and Kilwinning Abbey damaged in August 2024
Specialist heritage insurer Ecclesiastical is urging heritage sites in Scotland to take steps to prevent being a victim of crime ahead of a bumper summer for UK tourism.
Last year Ecclesiastical carried out a survey of 500 heritage decision makers and found 92% of heritage organisations have suffered crime between 2023-24.
These included incidents of anti-social behaviour, physical abuse towards staff and volunteers from visitors, theft of metal, damage by vehicles, and theft of oil.
In some instances, these attacks on heritage properties led to closures – with over a third (35%) saying they were forced to close their doors as a result.
With tourism set to generate £33.7 billion [i]in spending in 2025, heritage properties, grappling with rising costs, are relying on the busy summer season to secure essential funds. Any enforced closures threaten their ability to do so, putting their future at risk.
Earlier this year VisitBritain published their forecast, based on International Passenger Survey (IPS) data, of tourists visiting the UK and estimated an increase in numbers from 2024, from 41.2 million visits to 43.4 million visits (5% growth) this year.
Ahead of the summer, when many of the UK’s heritage sites will welcome visitors, Ecclesiastical is encouraging heritage property managers to take precautions.
Laura Carter, customer segment director at Ecclesiastical Insurance, said: “As the UK’s leading insurer of Grade I listed buildings, we’re passionate about protecting Britain’s heritage. In recent years we’ve seen thefts from heritage properties increase – causing damage to items and places of real historical significance.
“There are a number of measures heritage organisations can take to better secure property and assets, which would ideally be a combination of both physical and electronic protection. Our guidance has been developed by our risk management experts and we hope it will encourage heritage property owners and managers to review the measures in place to help protect their properties from future attacks.”
In the UK, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) work with Historic England and members of Alliance to Reduce Crime Against Heritage (ARCH) to tackle the threat of heritage crime. Ecclesiastical works alongside the partnership to provide valuable insight in the fight against crime.
Deputy Chief Constable Rachel Nolan, National Policing Lead for Heritage and Cultural Property Crime, said: “Stealing from or damaging any historic buildings or cultural sites is abhorrent. They are attacks on both our national and local heritage and can cause irreplaceable damage.
“We are committed to tackling this issue and our heritage crime officers across the country will continue to work with partners to reduce offending and raise awareness about the long-lasting damage heritage crime can have.”
Ecclesiastical recommends heritage property owners take practical steps to protect themselves, including:
Try to locate portable valuable items away from the building perimeter, as far from external doors and windows as possible. The further into a property thieves have to go, the longer it will take them and the greater the risk of detection.
Where valuables are out on display to members of the public, house them in security designed attack resistant display cabinets. Laminated/security glazing should be used and cabinet frames, locks and hinges should be designed to resist physical attacks.
If virtual tours of a property are included on websites avoid including the location of electronic security measures, such as intruder alarm and CCTV systems, which could be used to inform a planned attack.
Review perimeter security arrangements. Restrict vehicular access to the site and locate any designated parking as far from the main property as possible. The further thieves have to travel on foot the greater the risk of detection and the less they can carry away with them.
Watch out for visitors acting suspiciously. Behaviour such as walking speedily through some rooms but lingering in front of particular exhibits; studying nearby windows and doors; looking for electronic security measures such as closed-circuit television and intruder alarm detectors may be indicative of attack planning
Electronic security measures should be reviewed alongside physical security arrangements. Consider the installation of an intruder alarm system to aid early detection of unauthorised access if not already fitted. Where fitted review existing coverage to ensure the system adequately covers potential access points into the property and target areas where there is a concentration of valuables.
TWO further arrests have been made in connection with Operation Portaledge, the investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country. This brings the total number of arrests to 52.
On Thursday, 3 July, 2025, police arrested a 22-year-old man in connection with wilful fire-raising to two vehicles on Campion Road and Niddrie Marischal Crescent in Edinburgh on 9 June, 2025. He was released pending further enquiries. This is the second arrest in connection with this incident.
On Friday, 4 July, 2025, around 9.50am, officers executed a warrant in Blantyre and arrested a 49-year-old man in connection with an attempted murder in Pitcairn Grove, Edinburgh on Friday 22 May, 2025. This is the third arrest in connection with this incident.
The 49-year-old has also been arrested and charged in connection with drugs offences.
He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 7 July, 2025.
The charity Crimestoppers Scotland has launched a new campaign appealing for information about the dangerous and illegal use of off-road motorbikes and other mechanically propelled bikes across Scotland.
There has been rising concerns and reports from communities across Scotland over the illegal use of off-road bikes and other mechanically propelled bikes including mopeds, e-bikes and e-scooters.
Complaints often centre around off-road bikes becoming a threat to the public as the bikes are ridden recklessly in residential areas, town centres, on pavements and in green spaces – with no concern from the riders for their own safety or that of the public.
Crimestoppers spoke to people in Scotland who has been directly affected by dangerous and illegal use of off-road bikes:
A Farmer in Dumfries told us his fields had been ripped up overnight, costing thousands in repairs and increased security costs.
An elderly lady in Edinburgh almost stepped in front of a bus to prevent a bike on the pavement from crashing into her.
In February Whinhill Golf Club in Greenock experienced extensive damage to the greens and fairways.
Angela Parker, National Manager, Crimestoppers Scotland, said: “We heard from many people who felt scared and threatened by the increased use of illegal off-road bikes. This illegal activity also damages the environment and heritage, taking years to recovers and costing thousands to repair.
“Our campaign aims to support communities in reporting anonymously to our charity and providing information on where people can safely and legally enjoy riding their bike.”
Victims and Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown, said: “I’m pleased to support this important campaign.
“Using off-road vehicles illegally is dangerous, anti-social and can cause huge disruption to residents in local communities as well as causing damage to parks, playing fields and the natural environment.
Crimestoppers enables individuals to report crime anonymously and these reports help the police to tackle this crime. Together, we can make a real difference.”
Councillor Stephen McCabe, leader of Inverclyde Council, said: “These bikes are causing untold damage and misery in our community, damaging public and private property and leaving residents feeling scared and intimidated, which is simply unacceptable.
“Areas like Grieve Road have been particularly affected by the rise in off-road bikes and the course at Whinhill Golf Club, which the council owns, has also been damaged so there is a cost to the taxpayers to repair the fairways and greens, not to mention the inconvenience caused for golfers and staff.
“As with most things, the authorities need the help of the public to tackle this problem by reporting illegal and anti-social activity and Crimestoppers is a way in which people can do that and do it completely anonymously.”
Useful information includes:
Who is riding them illegally and what they were wearing?
The names of those responsible for putting the public and themselves in danger.
Where are they being stored?
The exact location, date and time the bike/s were seen?
Anything distinctive: colour, make, number plate details.
If you own or ride an off-road bike or other mechanically propelled bike, (that includes e-bikes and e-scooters), you must ensure that you comply with UK law. Our campaign webpage gives useful information on all manner of bikes.
To pass on information about the illegal use of off-road bikes completely anonymously, visit the Crimestoppers website (Crimestoppers-uk.org). You can fill in a safe and secure form or you can call the 24/7 UK-based Contact Centre on 0800 555 111. Young people can also report crime via the charity’s youth service website Fearless.org.
Please note: With Crimestoppers-uk.org and Fearless.org, computer IP addresses are never traced and no-one will ever know you contacted them.
For telephone calls to Crimestoppers via 0800 555 111, there is no caller line display, no 1471 facility and calls have never been traced.
Six men have been convicted following a number of serious and organised crime incidents in Edinburgh and Midlothian.
Michael Heeps, Lee Ridgway, John Murray, Dale Bauld, Damien Mullen and Ryan McGovern were found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday, Tuesday, 1 July, 2025, following a trial which lasted seven weeks.
They were convicted of numerous offences including attempted murder, wilful fire-raising and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Detective Superintendent Paul Grainger said: “The violence involved in each of these cases is completely unacceptable.
“Although these were all targeted attacks, those involved showed absolutely no regard for the communities affected.
“These incidents could have had much more serious consequences, and I want to make it clear this behaviour will not be tolerated.
“Each of these incidents formed part of a long and incredibly complex investigation.
“Detectives, working alongside specialist officers from across the country, were meticulous in going through every detail and ultimately bringing these six men to justice.
“I would like to thank them, as well as our partners in forensic services and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal services, for their work. I would also like to thank the public for their support throughout the investigation.
“These convictions show Police Scotland’s commitment to the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and its national strategy.
“I want to make it clear to those intent on being involved in serious and organised crime that we will not give up and you will be brought to justice.”
A 72-year-old man has been sentenced to nine years after pleading guilty to several non-recent sexual abuse offences at the High Court in Glasgow. William Bain from Crieff offended over a 21-year-period between 1978 to 1999.
An investigation was launched in 2021 following evidence heard at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry. As part of the investigation, 11 victims were identified, aged between 11 and 14. The offences occurred at various locations including Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dumbarton. In October 2022, Bain was arrested by officers.
Detective Sergeant Alan Macdougall said: “Bain is a prolific sexual predator. He used his position of power to inflict pain and harm on his young victims. The scale of his offending is horrendous. “I would like to commend those involved in the investigation for speaking to us. The impact of such crimes is deeply felt and long lasting and I understand how difficult it is to relive such horror. “We remain committed to tackling all forms of sexual crimes, regardless of when they occurred. I would encourage anyone who has been a victim to come forward, knowing we will fully investigate and you will be supported by our specially trained officers and partner agencies.”
An NSPCC spokesperson said: “The men in this case who Bain targeted as young boys have shown incredible bravery in coming forward to give evidence and help bring him to justice. after living with the impact of his abuse for many years.
“As a teacher Bain held a position of trust, which he grossly exploited for more than two decades to sexually abuse boys in his care.
“Child sexual abuse can have a profound and long-lasting impact on victims, and it is vital they feel able to speak out and can receive the specialist support they need to help them move forwards with their lives.”
Anyone concerned about the welfare of a child or young person can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 for help and advice or email help@nspcc.org.uk.
Children can contact Childline for help and support on 0800 1111 or via childline.org.uk.
