A 54-year-old man has been jailed for seven years following a multi-million pound scam in Edinburgh. Aasim Johar was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh today, Monday, 24 June, 2024.
He was previously found guilty on Friday, 24 May, 2024.
Johar defrauded the University of Edinburgh of over £3.3million between 2005 and 2015 through his role as a salesperson. The fraudulent scheme saw him earn commission through false and over-inflated invoices for cleaning products that were either not delivered or not required.
Detective Sergeant Gary Dalgleish, of the Financial Investigation Unit, said: “The sentence is the result of a long and complex investigation carried out by our officers. We have worked closely with the University and COPFS throughout the investigation and thank them greatly for their assistance.
“We recognise the significant and devastating impact that financial fraud can have on those that fall victim, which makes us all the more determined to identify and prosecute those responsible
“I’d like to take this opportunity to encourage the public to report fraud to us. We are committed to investigating all reports thoroughly and will bring those responsible to justice.”
You can find out more information and advice about fraud on our website here: https://www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and-information/scams-and-frauds/
New proposals to improve the planning and regulation of public processions and marches are to be introduced to uphold the rights of safe and peaceful assembly.
An Action Group, set up to consider how to better facilitate processions, has set out six recommendations in a newly published report, which have been accepted by the Scottish Government, the local authority group COSLA, and Police Scotland.
The recommendations include:
extending a pilot programme – following successful evaluation in April 2024 – to train stewards and marshalls to build their capacity to plan, prepare and manage processions and other forms of public gathering in a safe way
developing a minimum standard for information provided on the notification process for processions
providing consistent information on local authority websites that ensures transparency and confidentiality
statutory organisations, including local authorities, Police Scotland and the Scottish Government, to work together so information they provide relating to marches is clear and easy to understand
developing or improving training packages for local authority officials and elected members to enable the sharing of good practice to facilitate peaceful public processions and on how to protect human rights
consideration of an annual review mechanism that contributes to the sharing of best practice and learning of the management of processions.
Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown said: “The Scottish Government established the Action Group to ensure that processions are conducted safely and peacefully across the country.
“I am grateful to the members of the group for these carefully considered recommendations, which represent the culmination of extensive work by partners.
“The freedom of peaceful assembly is a cornerstone of a democratic society and it is vital that the right training, planning and regulations are in place so processions run smoothly, while ensuring those attending and surrounding communities are kept safe.
“In accepting the recommendations of the Action Group’s report in full, what is clear is that achieving success must be a joint endeavour. We will work with Police Scotland, COSLA and members of the Group to implement the recommendations as quickly as possible.”
A COSLA spokesperson said: “COSLA has worked collaboratively with the Scottish Government and Police Scotland through the Action Group on Processions, to work through the conclusions and recommendations of the Report for the Short Life Working Group on Facilitating Peaceful Assembles.
“In April, the COSLA Community Wellbeing Board endorsed the recommendations of the Action Group, and COSLA Officers will continue to work with partners of the group to deliver these actions.”
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie said: “Police Scotland is a rights based organisation.
“We welcome this report as we continue to work with our communities and partners to continually improve our practices and the awareness and visibility of the rights of those who wish to take part in processions.”
UPDATE: 72-year-old Gary Hardie missing from Edinburgh has been traced.
POLICE are appealing for the help of the public to trace a 72-year-old man missing from Edinburgh.
Gary Hardie, was last seen in the Mountcastle Loan area at around 6.20pm yesterday (Wednesday, 19 June, 2024).
He is described as being around 5ft 8in in height, of stocky build with white hair. When last seen he was wearing a beige jacket with a light brown leather collar, blue jeans and light brown loafers.
He is known to frequent the Drylaw area.
Inspector Grant McCulloch said: “Gary is vulnerable and concerns are growing for his welfare.Our enquiries are ongoing and I am appealing for anyone who has seen Gary or who has any information on his whereabouts to contact us.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 3505 of 19 June, 2024.
UPDATE: 72-year-old Gary Hardie missing from Edinburgh has been traced.
Road policing officers are appealing for information after an 83-year-old female pedestrian was seriously injured in a crash in the Colinton area.
The crash involving a red Vauxhall Corsa, happened on Woodhall Road, Edinburgh at the junction with Dreghorn Loan shortly after 3.44pm yesterday (Tuesday, 18 June).
The 47-year-old female driver of the Vauxhall was not injured.
The 83-year-old woman was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment.
The road was closed to allow for crash investigations to take place.
Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances and officers are appealing for witnesses.
Road Policing Sergeant Fraser Mitchell said: “Our investigation into this crash is ongoing and I would urge anyone who has information to get in touch.
“We would be keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the crash or saw the red Vauxhall before the crash occurred. If anyone has any dashcam footage from the area, please let us know.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 2168 of 18 June, 2024.
POLICE are appealing for information following a robbery at a shop in Gracemount. The incident happened around 9pm last night (Monday 17 June) on Gracemount Drive.
No-one was injured, however a two figure sum of cash was stolen.
The suspect is described as being a man of slim build in his early 20’s. He was wearing a dark blue hooded jacket, tracksuit bottoms, and had a green and white scarf covering his face.
The man was seen running in the direction of Balmwell Avenue.
Detective Sergeant Steven Gray said: “Our enquiries are ongoing and we are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious to contact us.
“We also ask anyone driving in the area at the time with dashcam footage to come forward.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 3667 of 17 June. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Class A drugs with a potential street value of over £37,000 have been recovered in North Edinburgh.
Today – Friday, 14 June, 2024 – police searched a premises under warrant on Wester Drylaw Drive, after intelligence was recieved that the property was involved in the supply of Class A drugs.
A substantial quantity of cocaine was sezied and a six figure sum of cash was also recovered from the property.
A 27-year-oldman and a 28-year-old were arrested and charged in connection with drug offences. They were released on an undertaking to appear at court at a later date.
Police Scotland is committed to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy, and will continue to remove illegal substances from communities.
Anyone with concerns about drugs in their community can contact us via 101, or calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Road policing officers are appealing for information following a serious crash on the A701 Liberton Road in Edinburgh.
The crash, involving a black Honda CBR 650 motorbike and a blue Skoda Octavia, happened around 12.35pm on Wednesday afternoon (12 June, 2024).
Emergency services attended and the 29-year-old male rider of the motorbike was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.
The driver and passenger of the car were not injured.
Two pedestrians, a 59-year-old woman and a 61-year-old man who were injured as a result of the incident were also taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
The road was closed to allow for investigations to be carried out and re-opened around 6.30pm.
Sergeant Birrell said: “Our enquiries are ongoing and I am appealing for anyone who has any information to contact us.
“I would particularly appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and who witnessed the crash or who has dash cam footage which may assist to get in touch.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 1568 of 12 June, 2024.
A 53-year-old man who died in Edinburgh has been named as Brian Ramsay.
Officers were called to Westfield Road in the city around 12.55pm on Friday, 7 June, following concern for a man within a property. Mr Ramsay was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 43-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the death.
He appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 10 June, 2024.
Brian’s family have issued the following statement through Police Scotland: – “We are shocked and saddened by his death. We would ask that we are given privacy to come to terms with our loss at this time.”
Detective Inspector David McAlinden said: “Our enquiries into the full circumstances of this incident remain ongoing.
“We would ask anyone with any information which could assist us with the investigation, that has not already come forward, to please make contact with officers as soon as possible.
“Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of the Mr Ramsay, and we will continue to support them during this difficult time.”
Anyone who can assist is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 1557 of Friday, 7 June, 2024. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
POLICE are appealing for the help of the public to trace a 16-year-old boy reported missing from Edinburgh.
Michael Cleal was last seen around 4.45pm on Wednesday, 5 June, in the Muirhouse Avenue area.
He has connections in the south side of Edinburgh, has links to Aberdeen and is known to use public transport.
Michael is described as slim, around 5ft, with black hair. When last seen he was wearing a black beanie style hat, a black jacket with a hood, black jogging bottoms and black trainers.
Sergeant Ian Fraser said: “Concerns are growing for Michael’s welfare and we need to make sure he is safe and well.
“Enquiries are ongoing to trace him and one possibility is that he may have travelled to London, Camden Town area.
“We are keen to speak to anyone who has seen Michael or may know where he is.
“If you can help please call us on 101, quoting reference number 3530 of Saturday, 8 June, 2024
