Appeal for information following damage to traffic enforcement camera

POLICE are appealing for information after a traffic enforcement camera was damaged in Edinburgh’s southside.

The incident happened between 10.45pm on Sunday, 19 May and 8am on Monday, 20 May, 2024 on Old Dalkeith Road.

Sergeant Karen Durham said: “Our enquiries to establish the full circumstances are ongoing and we are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anything to come forward.

“Anyone with information that could assist us is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 0051 of 22 May, 2024.”

Nine years for serial domestic abuser

A man has been sentenced to nine years in prison after being convicted of a series of domestic abuse offences in the Edinburgh area.

Brian Taylor, aged 54, committed these crimes over a period of 15 years.

He was previously found guilty of eight charges following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh and returned for sentencing yesterday – Thursday, 23 May, 2024.

Detective Inspector Mhairi Cooper of the Edinburgh Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit said: “Taylor is an abusive individual who showed no remorse for his violent and abusive behaviour.

“It is incredibly difficult for someone to confront their abuser and I would like to commend the women for their bravery in coming forward during the investigation. Their information was crucial in helping us build the case against him, and I hope this outcome provides them with some sense of closure.

“If anyone is experiencing, or has experienced domestic abuse, please do not hesitate to contact us directly or through one of our partner agencies.”

Attempted murder in Pennywell Gardens: Two men charged

Two men aged 35 and 41 years have been arrested and charged in connection with an attempted murder which took place in Pennywell Gardens at around 9.15pm on Monday (20 May, 2024).

They are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today – Thursday, 23 May, 2024, and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Fernieside Murder: Man to appear in Court today

A 36-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of a 78-year-old woman in Edinburgh on Tuesday (21 May).

Around 8.25am, police were called to a disturbance within a house in Fernieside Crescent. Police and Ambulance attended however 78-year-old Margaret Parker was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 36-year-old man is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today (Thursday, 23 May),

The 36-year-old man has also been charged in relation to the attempted murder of a 55-year-old woman and a 42-year-old woman during this incident. They did not require medical treatment.

Detective Inspector Dougal Begg said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Margaret Parker and everyone affected by this tragic incident.

“A continued police presence can be seen in the area as officers continue their enquiries into this isolated incident.”

A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Attempted murder in Muirhouse: man jailed for six years

A 44-year-old man has been jailed for six years in connection with attempted murder in Muirhouse.

Craig McQuillian was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday (Wedneday, 22 May) after pleading guilty the previous day.

McQuillian tried to murder a young boy and man on Sunday, 12 November, 2023 by setting a fire outside the door of their home in the Muirhouse area.

Detective Inspector Gordon Couper said: “This was a targeted attack which not only could have killed two innocent people, but also harmed many others in the building.

“McQuillian will now face the consequences of his deplorable actions.

“I would like to thank all officers involved for their dedication and commitment throughout the investigation as well as those members of the public who assisted with our enquiries.”

Fernieside death: Man arrested and charged

A 36-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the death of a 78-year-old woman in Edinburgh today – Tuesday, 21 May, 2024.

Around 8.25am, police were called to a disturbance within a house in Fernieside Crescent. Police and Ambulance attended and a 78-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 36-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the death and enquiries continue.

This was an isolated incident and officers remain in the area to provide public reassurance and anyone with concerns should speak to officers.

A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Three men sentenced following drugs offences across central belt

Three men have been sent to prison for serious and organised crime offences involving the large-scale supply of class A drugs based in Glasgow and stretching across the central belt of Scotland.

At the High Court in Edinburgh, yesterday (Friday, 10 May), Paul Martin, Peter Dickson and Grant Japp, were sentenced to five years and eight months, four years and three months, and three years and four months respectively.

Martin aged 43, Dickson aged 34, and Japp aged 30, had previously pled guilty at the High Court in Glasgow.

Acting on intelligence officers, executed a number of warrants in Glasgow which led to the arrest of Jaap in May 2021. Further enquiries resulted in Dickson also being apprehended.

A complex investigation enabled officers to identify Martin as the ring-leader. This included infiltration of the encrypted messaging service Encrochat via Operation Venetic – regarded as the most significant UK operation into serious and organised crime involving Police Scotland, the National Crime Agency and police forces across the UK.

Martin had fled to Spain before he could be arrested but was traced to Tenerife and extradited to Scotland in August 2022.

Detective Inspector Phillip Kennedy said: “These men made a substantial amount of money from a drugs operation importing and selling Class A drugs in the central belt of Scotland.

“Martin, in particular, lived a lavish lifestyle with properties in Scotland and Spain.

“The three men blighted our communities with drugs and their sentencing comes after a complex investigation.

“Disrupting the activities of organised crime groups and making the country an extremely hostile environment for them to operate is one of Police Scotland’s top priorities.

“There is no place for serious organised criminality in our society and, working in partnership with law enforcement agencies and the members of the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce, we will continue our fight against those involved in serious and organised crime to keep our communities safe.”

Anyone who has information or concerns about the sale and supply of drugs in their community is urged to contact Police Scotland via 101 or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Man arrested following Broomhouse cannabis discovery

Around 9am yesterday (Wednesday, 8 May), whilst executing a warrant at an address on Broomhouse Place North, officers from Edinburgh South West Community Policing Team discovered controlled drugs, believed to be cannabis, both herbal and plants, with an estimated street value of £303,000.

A 28-year-old man has been arrested and charged and is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday, 9 May 2024. A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Three face court following Magdalene heroin seizure

Three people have been arrested and charged after heroin worth a six-figure sum was recovered within a flat in Edinburgh.

On the evening of Tuesday, 7 May, 2024, officers executed a search warrant at a property in Magdalene Way where a quantity of the Class A drug worth an estimated street value of £199,000 was discovered.

Two women, aged 19 and 42, and a 20-year-old man were arrested and charged in connection and were released on an undertaking to appear before Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.

A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Twelve year old boy charged after threatening Morningside shop staff

Following an attempt shoplifting incident in Morningside yesterday (Thursday 25 April) police officers traced a 12-year-old boy who has now been charged with making threats of violence towards staff.

Community Sergeant Jen Macgregor said: ‘Behaving and acting in a threatening and abusive way will not be tolerated by our communities.

“Our officers continue to deal with any reports robustly and work tirelessly with families, schools and partners to deter such incidents.

“Please check in with your kids when they’re out and about to ensure they are safe and not involved in anti-social-behaviour or criminality.’

#KeepingPeopleSafe