Cannibal Killer Stabbed Man 22 Times, Cooked and Ate His Finger
A cannibal killer who murdered a man and then torched his flat is facing a life sentence. Gabriel Brown, 35, stabbed Joseph Johnston 22 times during a "punishment" attack at the 58-year-old's home in Annan in November 2024. Brown also chopped off the victim's ring finger, cooked it and ate the severed digit. The body of Mr Johnston—known as Ernie—was later discovered in the burnt-out flat.
Brown had never met his victim before, but Mr Johnston had previously been in a relationship with the thug's step-mother. The ex-bouncer decided to target the man amid claims of what he had been told about their time together. Brown, a convicted sex offender, stood trial at the High Court in Glasgow and now faces a life sentence.
Woman Jailed for Plunging Gin Glass into Friend's Face
Colette Hanchard, 55, was jailed for almost five years after leaving her friend Frances McKay with horrific injuries by plunging a smashed gin glass into her face. The attack occurred in the victim's outhouse at her home during a summer night's outing. Hanchard, a laundry worker, later messaged Frances stating she had a cut finger and could not remember what happened.
The defenceless victim could have died but for urgent medical treatment. First offender Hanchard appeared at the High Court in Glasgow having earlier pled guilty to an aggravated assault charge. Judge Alistair Watson sentenced her to four years and 11 months, stating: "The woman has been left with extensive and visible scarring. The victim impact statement sets out in detail the physical injury suffered. It also speaks of the life changing effect the attack has had on her. The psychological harm is massive."
Fake World Cup Tops Worth £5.5 Million Seized in Edinburgh
Nine tonnes of fake football shirts worth £5.5 million, intended to be sold during the World Cup, have been seized in Edinburgh in the largest ever raid of its kind in the UK. The capital's Council’s Trading Standards Team confiscated an estimated 58,000 counterfeit jerseys and kits destined for distribution during this summer's tournament in North America. The haul included the new home and away Scotland shirts worn against Haiti, Morocco and Brazil.
The seizure followed a series of intelligence-led operations with assistance from Police Scotland, alongside linked action by the National Trading Standards Intellectual Property team in Newport Trading Standards. The confiscation is estimated to be one of the largest ever seizures of its kind in the UK, weighing over nine tonnes and worth over £5 million.
Manhunt Launched After Paisley Murder Bid
Police have launched a manhunt following an attempted murder in Paisley. A 53-year-old man was left seriously injured after a "violent attack" on George Street in the Renfrewshire town at around 8pm on Monday, July 13. The victim is in a stable condition in hospital, but officers are searching for the suspect. Detectives locked down the scene in the Castlehead area, and the area remains sealed off with a cordon in place. George Street, along with Lady Lane and Castle Street, are currently closed as investigations begin.
Family Demands New Probe After River Death
The family of Jason Anderson, 33, who was found dead in the River Ayr in Failford, Mauchline, on Valentine’s Day, have demanded a fresh probe, claiming he could have been murdered. Jason was last seen in the village of Catrine on December 12 last year. A large-scale search was launched, and the family received chilling messages suggesting he had come to harm before his body was found. The death remains "unexplained" several months on. Jason’s mum, Renatta Ginns, has lodged a formal complaint with Police Scotland over their handling of the case, fearing his death was suspicious and has not been properly investigated.
