Copfs

The Crown Office has lodged a first notice to begin the court process for a fatal accident inquiry into the death of 47-year-old Brian Cathcart. Mr Cathcart died on 7 December 2021 within HMP Barlinnie.

A man who filmed his dogs while they hunted, injured and killed numerous wild animals has been imprisoned for 12 months and banned indefinitely from owning or keeping animals. Brandon Robb, 28, of Fife, was sentenced at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court after admitting a catalogue of wildlife offences.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has lodged a first notice to begin the court process for a fatal accident inquiry into the death of 71-year-old John Barr. John Barr, an inmate within HMP Edinburgh, was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for medical treatment. A deterioration

The Crown Office has lodged a first notice to begin the court process for a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the death of 57-year-old Keith Munro. Mr Munro, also known as Keith Martin or Keith Jordan, died on 15 November 2022 at the Marie Curie Hospital, Edinburgh.

Two men have been jailed for more than eight years after turning two Aberdeen flats into drug supply dens. Dean Alford, 31, and Rory Morgan, 32, used the rented properties in Esslemont Avenue and Granton Place to traffic drugs, including cocaine.

A man who caused a pregnant woman to miscarry after secretly giving her an abortion drug has been jailed. Paramedic Stephen Doohan assaulted and sexually assaulted the woman while administering the tablets at his home on two occasions in March 2023.

Two men linked to serious organised crime have been sentenced to a total of 13 years and seven months in prison for operating a drug-running operation. Charles McAllister, 53, was convicted of directing others including co-accused Stephen Lamb to commit offences including the sale and supply of cont

A rapist who systematically groomed and abused eight vulnerable young girls over the course of 16 years has been jailed. Gary MacPherson was found guilty of 22 charges, including rape, on 12 May 2025 following a trial at the High Court in Paisley.

A man who tried to murder his estranged wife by driving over her twice with his car has had his prison sentence increased following a successful Crown appeal. William Budge was previously jailed for seven years and four months in February 2025 after earlier pleading guilty to three charges at the Hi

A man who subjected two young women and a newborn baby to a campaign of violence and abuse has been jailed. Jay Dixon, 22, from Dundee, carried out a series of cruel acts on a four-week-old boy while controlling and degrading the child’s mother. A nurse noticed extensive bruising on the infant

Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC has defended the presumption against prosecuting children accused of rape amid a call for offenders under 16 to be treated as adults. Appearing before Holyrood's Public Petitions Committee yesterday, Ms Bain defended the Crown Office's policy of offering "diversion" as

A fraudster who earned more than £500,000 by deceiving luxury hotels and stores into buying ‘unique’ Scottish-grown tea that was actually imported has been imprisoned for three-and-a-half years. Thomas Robinson, 55, of Dunkeld, Perthshire, also defrauded a group of genuine Scottish

A man who raped a 15-year-old girl after following her on a street in Falkirk has been jailed. Sadeq Nikzad was found guilty on 5 March 2025 following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Pupils from St Aidan’s High School, Wishaw, are celebrating winning this year’s Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) schools public speaking competition. 

A 29-year-old skipper has been fined for causing serious damage to a fishing boat when he fell asleep after drinking. Shaun MacInnes, from Eriskay, was in charge of the FV Annette when it ran aground on the Isle of Rum on 31 March 2022.