A murder inquiry has been launched following the death of a 30-year-old man in Edinburgh.
Around 8pm on Thursday, 5 May, 2022, Liam Maloney was seriously assaulted on Niddrie Marischal Road, near to its junction with Niddrie Marischal Grove..He was taken by ambulance to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, where he died yesterday (Saturday, 7 May).
His relatives are aware and a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.
A post mortem examination has been carried out and the death is being treated as murder.
Detective Chief Inspector Frank Travers, of the Major Investigation Team, said: “This appears to have been a targeted incident and we do not believe there is any risk to the wider public.
“Extensive police enquiries are ongoing at this time and officers are gathering CCTV footage from the surrounding area.Door to door inquiries are also being carried out.
“We will have a continued police presence in the area and I would like to reassure the local community that everything is being done to trace the person responsible.
“I would ask anyone who was in the Niddrie Marischal Road and Niddrie Marischal Grove area on Thursday night, and who may have seen or heard a disturbance, or witnessed anything suspicious, to please get in touch with us.
“We have also set up a website that gives members of the public access to a form to send information directly to the Major Investigation Team.
“Anyone with any CCTV, dashcam or any other footage that they think would assist the enquiry can also send this via this link.
“You can select to remain anonymous when submitting information.
Police have released a CCTV image of a man they believe may be able to assist an ongoing investigation into an assault and robbery in Clermiston.
The incident happened around 6.40pm on Saturday, 1 January, 2022, on Essendean Place. A 43-year-old man was assaulted and robbed, sustaining facial injuries.
Officers believe the man (pictured below) may be able to help with the investigation.
He is described as white, aged in his 20s, around 5ft 10in, medium build, wearing a hooded zip up top and Adidas jogging bottoms with short, dark hair and moustache.
Detective Constable Richard Paton, of Corstorphine CID, said: “We have released a CCTV image of a man we would like to speak to in connection with this incident.
“Despite extensive enquiries, we have not been successful in identifying the man in the image.
“I would urge the male or anyone who recognises him to come forward as soon as possible.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact Corstorphine CID via 101, quoting incident number 3992 of 1 January, 2022, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Detectives investigating the murder of Alistair Wilson at his home in Nairn in 2004 are appealing for information about a local planning application they believe may be significant to the enquiry.
Mr Wilson had objected to a large decking area outside the Havelock Hotel, opposite his home in Crescent Road, shortly before he was shot dead on his doorstep.
Detectives recently travelled to Canada to interview a key witness regarding this planning application and are appealing for the public’s help to gather more information.
Officers from Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, which is carrying out the investigation, can also confirm they now believe the answer to Alistair’s murder lies within his personal life and is not connected to his employment with the Bank of Scotland.
Detective Superintendent Graeme Mackie said: “Shortly before his murder, Alistair had objected to the building of a large decking area within the car park of the Havelock Hotel, directly opposite the family home which he said was responsible for increased noise and litter in the area.
“The decking was built in the summer of 2004 and subject to a retrospective planning application at the time of the murder.
“While we cannot rule out any scenario, we believe this could be significant to our enquiries and I am asking anyone with information about this issue to please come forward and speak with officers.
“Alistair did not disclose his disapproval regarding the decking to many people, however we understand that his formal objection was sent by the Local Authority to the Havelock Hotel on the Thursday before his murder and knowledge of his objections became public before his murder on the Sunday, which may be significant.
“I would also appeal to anyone who was involved in the building of the decking area at the Havelock Hotel in 2004 to come forward.
“Through significant enquiries being carried out we believe the answer to Alistair’s murder lies within his personal life and not in his role with the bank.
“Someone locally will have that piece of information that could be crucial to catching his killer and providing answers for his family.”
Anyone who believes they can assist police is asked to contact 101 quoting incident 515 of 4 March 2022 and Operation Sorn or you can e-mail a dedicated inbox at SCDHOLMESAberdeen@scotland.pnn.police.uk
Last month Police Scotland issued an appeal for information about two men seen with a handgun on a beach near the town a month before the fatal shooting.
Following recent appeals for information, a witness has reported seeing two men, one aged in their 20s and the other between 40 and 60 years old on East Beach, Nairn.
The witness has said the younger man was in possession of a handgun.
Detective Superintendent Mackie said: “We have been very clear that time is no barrier to justice and I hope these recent appeals will further reassure the public that we are determined to bring Alistair’s killer to justice.
“I would like to thank the local community for the positive response to our recent appeals for information.”
Following a recent review of witness accounts, further analysis of timings from the night in question and investigative developments, officers altered the description of the man they want to trace in connection with Alistair’s murder.
Detectives believe the man who shot Alistair on his doorstep to have been aged between 20 and 40-years-old at the time. This would mean he is now aged in his mid-30s to almost 60 years old.
He was approximately 5ft 7in tall and was wearing a baseball cap and jacket.
Previous appeals described the gunman as being between 30 and 40-years-old.
Mr Wilson was shot around 7pm on Sunday, 28 November 2004 after a man called at the family’s home on Crescent Road, Nairn, spoke to his wife Veronica who answered the door and asked for her husband by name.
Mr Wilson went downstairs to speak to the man and was handed a blue envelope with the word “Paul” on it. He went inside briefly and then returned to the door for a second time when he was fatally shot.
Anyone who believes they can assist police is asked to contact 101 quoting incident 515 of 4 March 2022 and Operation Sorn or you can e-mail a dedicated inbox at SCDHOLMESAberdeen@scotland.pnn.police.uk
Two motorcyclists have died this month and five seriously injured in collisions over the Easter weekend. The latest figures are being highlighted as a reminder to all road users to keep themselves and others safe while travelling on Scotland’s roads.
Road policing officers are focusing on their annual motorcycle campaign over the spring and summer months when riders tend to make use of the better weather.
Fellow biker and deputy head of road policing, Superintendent Stewart Mackie, said: “We speak to bikers and other road users all year round but as the better weather arrives, there is a real focus on motorbike safety and educating all drivers.
“Motorcyclists are more vulnerable than other road users. My plea to other riders is a straightforward one – get home safe.
“I have bitter experience of attending fatal collisions over the years and we must all be cautious on bends, especially left hand bends and think twice before every single overtake.
“I understand the pleasure of being on a bike and exploring Scotland but there’s nothing more important than returning home to your loved ones safe and well.
“Every road user needs to play their part.”
More than 85 per cent of all motorcycle collisions happen in rural areas, during the daytime and in good weather. Over 500 motorcyclists are seriously injured or killed across the country each year.
Police are asking for help to trace a 17-year-old teenager last seen in Leith. Aaron Strachan was last seen around 5pm in Leith Walk on Thursday (21 April). He is described as around 5ft 11, of average build, with short brown hair.
When last seen he was wearing a green/blue puffer style jacket, grey jogging bottoms and black Nike trainers.
Anyone who has seen Aaron or knows where he might be is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting reference number 0696 of Thursday, 21 April, 2022.
Chief Constable Iain Livingstone welcomed 297 new probationary Constables to Police Scotland and thanked them for their commitment to public service during an oath of office ceremony at Police Scotland Headquarters, Tulliallan yesterday.
The recruits made the Police Constable’s declaration to faithfully discharge their duties with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality, and promised to uphold fundamental human rights under the authority of Justice of the Peace, Dr Vicki Nash.
Chief Constable Livingstone said: “Our officers come from the diverse communities we serve and from who draw our legitimacy. What unites us in Police Scotland are our values and a shared mission to keep people safe.
“As Chief Constable, I welcome our new Constables and thank them for stepping forward to make what is a significant commitment to public service and to underline the values and behaviours they must uphold and promote.
“Policing is a demanding but rewarding vocation. The oath of office ceremony is an important opportunity to emphasise that Constables who discharge their duties in accordance with our values and their oath have my support as Chief Constable, and the support of the Police Service of Scotland.”
The intake, made up of 56% male recruits and 44% female, ranges in age from 19 to 52, with the majority falling in the 25 – 34 years age bracket.
Of the intake, 10% identified as being from a minority ethnic group, totalling 29 officers, and languages spoken fluently by recruits include Polish, Romanian, Norwegian, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, Persian and Chinese Mandarin.
Six of the recruits were previously serving Special Constables with Police Scotland, two were members of Police Staff, and 17 of the new constables have previous military service.
Chief Constable Livingstone said: “Recruiting officers who share our values and reflect and represent all our communities is vital to maintain and enhance our crucial bond of trust with the public we serve.
“We have a positive moral and legal duty to improve the lives of our fellow citizens. This includes being representative of the communities we serve, making us accessible and approachable. The increasing diversity of our recruits continues to help our organisation to do this.”
The new recruits will undertake 12 weeks of initial training before joining colleagues serving communities across Scotland during a two-year probationary period.
The Chief Constable spoke earlier this year of the measures taken in response to the COVID pandemic as well as the need to provide effective policing during the COP26 climate change summit. This included amending intakes and initial training, meaning overall officer numbers were lower than would otherwise be the case.
Police investigating the disappearance of Stuart Campbell have issued a fresh appeal for witnesses to come forward.
Stuart (36) was last seen in the Barn Park area of Wester Hailes, around 4pm on Tuesday, 22 March, 2022. It has now been four weeks since he went missing.
Stuart’s mother Jane said : “Stuart, if you are reading this please get in touch. All your family and friends are worried about you and want you home safe.
“If anyone has seen Stuart or knows where he is please get in touch with myself or the police.
“It’s been nearly four weeks now and we all want you home safe and well.”
Chief Inspector Mark Hamilton, Area Commander for South West Edinburgh said : “Over the last four weeks local officers supported by specialist teams from Police Scotland have continued to search for Stuart.
“We are increasingly concerned for his well-being and have carried out open searches in Barn Park, Clovenstone, Union Canal, Water of Leith and Colinton Dell in effort to trace him and further searches are continuing in the surrounding areas.
“Officers are also carrying out further house to house enquiries and have been asking residents in Wester Hailes if they have any information that could assist them with their enquiries. We are also identifying further CCTV opportunities in the area and in particular would welcome assistance from local businesses or residents who may have private CCTV.
“Stuart is described as being 5ft 10in tall, with short brown hair. He was last seen wearing a dark-coloured jacket, green hooded top with white ties and grey jogging bottoms.
“Anyone who knows where Stuart is or who has information that could assist in tracing him should call 101 quoting 1205 of 28 March or speak to any police officer.”
Police Scotland Positive Action Team will be hosting an online information event aimed at the ethnic minorities in Scotland tonight.
This event will give attendees a fantastic opportunity to hear from serving ethnic minority police officers and their experiences.
The event will also focus on the recruitment process and the training, with a unique insight into life at the Scottish Police College at Tulliallan from the minority groups perspective.
