Eight years for capital sex offender

A man has been jailed for eight years for serious sexual offences in Edinburgh. Connor Hagley, 26, pleaded guilty to the abuse, including rape, of a woman between 2019 and 2021 at the High Court in Edinburgh on Monday, 22 July, 2024.

He was sentenced at the High Court in Stirling yesterday, Tuesday, 27 August. He has also been placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

Detective Inspector Keith Taylor said: “Hagley is a danger to women and his conviction proves that. He’ll now face the consequences of his despicable actions, which have had a devastating impact on the woman involved.

“I’d like to commend her for her strength throughout the investigation and court proceedings. I hope this sentencing will bring some form of justice as she continues to move forward with her life.

“Anyone who has been a victim of such crimes is urged to come forward and report it to us. We’re committed to fully investigating, regardless of when it happened, and bringing those responsible in front of the courts.

“I want to reassure you, we have specially trained officers and partner agencies who will support you throughout.”

Pair convicted of human trafficking offences

A woman and man have been convicted of human trafficking offences in Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh.

Mananchaya Wanitthanawet, 40 and Cameron Wilson, 30, were convicted at the High Court in Dundee on Thursday, 22 August, 2024.

They are due to be sentenced at a later date.

The offences took place between November, 2019 and December, 2020.

Detective Inspector Simon Murray said: “Human trafficking has no place in Scotland.

“We will continue target criminals who abuse, control and exploit people, working with partners nationally and internationally to bring offenders to justice, and to raise public awareness to help identify victims and ensure they get the support they need.

“People within local communities are often the first to spot when someone may be trafficked or is being exploited.

If you have concerns, or information, please report this to us on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 so we can investigate and take action.”

Appeal to help identify man found dead in River Tay

Police are appealing to the public to help identify a man whose body was discovered in the River Tay at Aberfeldy last Saturday, 17 August, 2024.

The man’s body was discovered by a member of the public near to Wades Bridge around 9.40am. He is described as white and likely in his late 50’s or older, around 6ft 4ins in height and of medium build with sandy blonde and grey wavy hair. When he was found he was wearing black underwear.

His death is not believed to be suspicious.

Detective Inspector Simon Murray said: “Unfortunately, despite significant enquiries, we have not yet been able to establish who the man is. We want to establish his identity as soon as possible to inform his family of his death.

“There were no personal belongings near to where he was found, and no-one has reported anyone matching his description missing to police.

“We are continuing to carry out enquiries to help us identify where he may have entered the water. We would ask any local residents if this description resembles anyone they know lives locally? For any wider public who have been in the Aberfeldy area over the past couple of weeks, does this resemble anyone they may have seen in the area?

“Has anyone seen personal items either washed up on the shore or discarded near the water? Have you have seen a car parked in either a car park or a layby in the area that has been there for a few days? Abandoned tents or anything out else of the ordinary?

“He may have been on holiday or visiting the Aberfeldy area, so if you have any information or if you have not heard from a friend or family member and this is unusual, please contact us. Anyone with any information that may be relevant is urged to contact 101 quoting incident number 1094 of 17 August.”

Community Police drop-ins at PCHP

⭐️New Drop-in Alert⭐️

Join us for an open and friendly Community Police Drop-in session! This is your chance to meet our local officer, discuss any concerns, ask questions.

📆When: 26th of August
📍Where: Pilton Community Health Project, 73 Boswall Parkway, EH5 2PW
⏱What Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM

No appointment needed, just drop in.

Whether you want to share your thoughts, seek advice, or simply say hello, we are here to listen.

#PCHP40

#FiveWaysToWellbeing

#Connect

#communitywellbeingprogramme

#CommunityWellbeing

The NEN North Edinburgh News

Royston Wardieburn Community Centre

Granton Library

Granton Information Centre

Poice Scotland confirm closure of Portobello Police Station

LANDMARK BUILDING IS UP FOR SALE

Plans to dispose of Portobello police station following public consultation has been approved and the building will now be marketed for sale.

Police Scotland announced on 14 December 2023 proposals to close police stations across the country as part of their estate transformation strategy.

Public consultation was launched both at a local level and nationally through an online Engagement Hub. The consultation on Portobello opened on 17 January 2024 and closed on 13 March 2024. In total there were 116 respondents.

Portobello has historically been underutilised; operational officers have not been stationed there since October 2016. Community and response officers have been based at Craigmillar police station. The disposal of Portobello would lead to no change in this operational model.

Public counter services can be accessed at Craigmillar police station and St Leonards Police station which are approximately three miles away. Musselburgh police station, in East Lothian also has front office counter provision.

Speaking about the approved disposal, Superintendent Murray Tait said: “Portobello is a very large Victorian building and has continued to incur significant annual running costs and ongoing repairs and maintenance.

“I realise that for many, the physical presence of Portobello police station has provided reassurance and confidence to the local community over the years. However, it’s important to clarify that operational police officers have not been stationed in the building since 2016.

“Community and response officers will continue to actively patrol the Portobello area We are committed to maintaining a strong presence and ensuring the safety of the community.

“Some respondents to the consultation expressed concern about crime during busy summer periods when the town sees greater visitor numbers.

“As part of our policing plan, we have increased police resource throughout the summer in Portobello every year and I would reassure residents this will continue.

“With advances in digital technology and our fleet, officers spend most of their time out in communities dealing with calls and helping the public rather than sitting in police stations.

“Our presence in communities is not defined by buildings but by the officers and staff who work hard to police the area.

“I would like to assure local residents that our officers will continue to be active, visible and accessible. 

“Our officers based at Craigmillar and St Leonards will continue to patrol the east side of the city and the public will receive the same high level of service.”

Copies of the consultation findings have been published on our Engagement Hub.

Missing girl: Have you seen Julia?

POLICE are continuing to appeal for information as to the whereabouts of Julia Gradecka, 14 years old, missing from Dalkeith.

She is described as 5’9 and was last seen to be wearing a brown hooded jumper with a large Adidas logo, black leggings, and white Crocs.

Julia has been missing since Tuesday 13 August and concerns are growing for her.

She is believed to be in the West Lothian area and may have recently visited Livingston. She is also known to frequent Bellshill and Edinburgh.

If you have any information, please call 101 and quote Incident 3818 of 13 August, 2024.

Police seek information following serious assault in Craigentinny

POLICE are appealing for information after a 17-year-old male was seriously assaulted in Edinburgh.

The incident happened around 11.20pm on Friday night (16 August, 2024), when he was attacked by two men with bladed weapons on Craigentinny Road, close to Christiemillar Avenue.

He was taken by ambulance to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment to serious injuries.

The road was closed for a short time while enquiries were carried out.

The suspects are described as wearing black clothing and they ran from the scene onto Loaning Road.

Detective Inspector Dougal Begg said: “A young man suffered serious injuries and we need to trace those responsible as soon as possible.

“If you were in the Craigentinny Road area on Friday evening and saw or heard anything suspicious, or know who these men are, please contact us.”

Those with information can speak to officers by calling 101 and quoting incident number 4590 of 16 August. Alternatively, you can make an anonymous report to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Operation Summer City nets drugs haul

POLICE Summer City officers continue both uniformed and plain clothed patrols, so far reporting 16 individuals for drugs offences.

Yesterday we searched a male in Edinburgh City Centre and recovered over 300 diazepam concealed in two small tubs. He was arrested and reported.

#SummerCity2024

Frederick Street assault: Man charged


A 22-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a serious assault in Edinburgh on Sunday, 7 July 2024.

The incident took place on Frederick Street, around 3.25am and a 32-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment.

He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on a later date.

A report has been sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

Muirhouse Park incident: Man to appear in Court

A 52-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a serious assault on Muirhouse Park at around 5.20am yesterday morning (Wednesday, 14 August, 2024).

A 43-year-old woman was taken to hospital for treatment.

This is being treated as an isolated incident and there was no wider risk to the public.

The man is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.