An Irish crime clan is targeting wealthy Scots in sophisticated gold heists, using metal detectors to find loot and wipes to remove any forensic trail. The gang is behind a spate of robberies that have netted hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of gold and jewellery from Asian families in Glasgow's south side.
The masked and gloved criminals carry out break-ins, often lasting less than 10 minutes, using metal detectors to find valuables and then cleaning fluids and wipes to scrub surfaces of fingerprints or DNA. In the most recent raids, the gang targeted 10 luxury homes in the affluent Glasgow suburb of Whitecraigs, where properties can sell for £1million and more.
Victim releases CCTV of raid
A retired businessman, who asked not to be named, spoke of his shock at falling victim to the gang and released CCTV of their terrifying raid. He said: “My wife went out at 1.15pm and they must have been watching the house.”
In a separate case, a man posted revenge porn pictures of his friend's ex to her neighbours. Arkadiusz Lis sent letters that included a snap of the victim showing full frontal nudity and her phone number in the wake of a split with his pal.
Revenge porn offender sentenced
Lanark Sheriff Court heard the victim was “horrified” when she opened the letter and discovered several neighbours had been sent the same image by post. Lis, 42, from Bellshill, Lanarkshire, also admitted sending the woman a text threatening to disclose “intimate images” of her. He was ordered to carry out community service as a “direct alternative” to prison.
Fiscal depute Jack Muir told the court: “It is a picture she had taken. She was horrified to open the letter. The telephone number associated with the text message was associated with the accused. He was arrested at Glasgow Airport.”
Woman mauled by dog faces years of surgery
A woman mauled by a dog she had known since it was a puppy says she faces years of surgery after the “terrifying” attack left her with devastating injuries. Samantha Redding, 20, had been around the Spanish mastiff crossed with a bear-headed Akita, which belonged to her friend's father, since it was young and says she had never known it to be aggressive.
During a brief visit to the house in January, the huge dog suddenly latched onto her face. Samantha remembers little of the attack beyond seeing the animal coming towards her, hearing it growl and feeling excruciating pain. She said: “I went to my friend's dad's house to get her but she'd already left to meet me at my house. I was only in the house for about 10 minutes and I was getting ready to leave. I went to pick up my bag and the dog latched onto my face... My face looked like something from a horror movie.”
Rangers legend's daughter speaks out
The daughter of Rangers legend Gordon Smith has spoken out after her tarot reader husband was convicted of abusing her and blocking her from seeing her family. Libby Smith married ‘psychic entrepreneur’ Colin Stevenson in a ‘secret’ wedding ceremony in 2023 before holding a lavish reception with her famous dad by her side and Corrie star Helen Flanagan as a bridesmaid.
Stevenson was sentenced to community service this week after admitting abusing the 37-year-old mum-of-three over a period of almost three years - starting just weeks before their marriage. The 43-year-old was banned from contacting Libby after admitting behaving in a threatening and abusive manner towards his ex at Lanark Sheriff Court - including preventing her family from visiting her and their newborn child.
Drugs and cash seized in dawn raid
Drugs and cash were seized by police following a dawn raid at a number of properties in Perth. Warrants were executed at properties on New Row in the city centre on Thursday morning, August 27. Following a search of the properties by police, a quantity of drugs, cash and other items were seized. No further details as to the value or type of drugs seized was released by police.
In a video shared on social media, police can be seen preparing for the raid around the corner from one of the properties. Some officers are wearing protective clothing and can be seen with tools to break in if necessary. Once ready, the group of nine officers cross the road and make their way down the street towards their intended target. Enquiries into the find are ongoing.
