Breaking News & Crime in Edinburgh, The Lothians & Fife (2025)

07/10/2025

Chainsaw Threat Workman Spared Jail Over Parking Row

A landscape gardener who threatened to “chop up” a man during a furious row over parking has avoided a prison sentence.

William McPhee, 41, from Broxburn, West Lothian, was ordered to complete 160 hours of unpaid work after being found guilty of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.

A jury at Livingston Sheriff Court heard McPhee brandished a running chainsaw and shouted threats to kill Kyle Manifield during the confrontation in Polbeth on 27 June 2023.

The incident unfolded after Mr Manifield’s partner, Rachel Saunders, complained that McPhee’s van was blocking a footpath, forcing her to step onto a busy road while pushing her one-year-old child in a pram.

When she challenged McPhee, who had been cutting logs in a nearby garden, he swore at her, prompting Ms Saunders to call her partner for help.

Mr Manifield told the court:

“From the phone call with Rachel, my understanding was they were quite abusive and trying to intimidate her. I was angry about the way they spoke to my partner.”

He said when he arrived at the scene and confronted McPhee, the tradesman started his chainsaw, revved it above his head, and advanced toward him, shouting:

“I’m going to f***ing kill you — I’m going to chop you up.”

Mr Manifield said he backed away towards the road while Ms Saunders screamed from an upstairs window, warning him that the man was armed with a chainsaw.

CCTV footage played to the court captured the sound of the saw being revved during the incident.

Passing sentence, Sheriff Valerie Mays described the offence as “relatively serious” but said McPhee was “not a man with a significant history of violent offending.”

She told him:

“I accept that this seems to be out of character for you. You appear to live a generally pro-social life and are hard-working.”

McPhee was given a community payback order requiring him to complete 160 hours of unpaid work within 15 months.

Sheriff Mays stressed that the sentence was a direct alternative to custody, warning that failure to comply could see him brought back to court and jailed.

07/10/2025

BREAKING: Major Emergency Response at Holyrood Park as Air Ambulance Lands Near Arthur’s Seat

Edinburgh, Tuesday 7 October 2025 — A large emergency response is underway this afternoon in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, after several police vehicles and an air ambulance were called to the scene near St Anthony’s Chapel on Arthur’s Seat.

Witnesses reported seeing at least half a dozen police cars racing into the park shortly after 2 pm, followed by the arrival of Helimed 76, operated by the Scottish Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA), which landed on the hillside close to the ruined chapel.

One eyewitness told reporters:

“Cops went running into the hillside with heavy FREC first aid bags from their car and shortly after that a chopper arrived. It looked really serious — they cleared folk out the way pretty quickly, apparently someone has fallen”.

The nature of the incident has not yet been confirmed, but officers remain at the scene, with part of the park cordoned off to allow the helicopter to operate.

Police were seen carrying medical equipment up the slope toward one of the walking paths below Arthur’s Seat.

“We received a call at 14:31 to attend an incident in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh.

We dispatched an ambulance, a paramedic response unit (PRU), a critical care paramedic (CCP), a special operations response team (SORT), and an air ambulance to the scene.”

Images BNC & John Watt

07/10/2025

Dramatic Overnight Raid Rocks Quiet Borders Village

A peaceful Borders community has been left stunned after a dramatic overnight ram-raid tore through the Co-op food store in Newton St Boswells.

Police Scotland officers sealed off the area around Station Yard early this morning, following what appears to be an attempt to steal a cash machine from inside the store.

Images from the scene show a black Range Rover, its back end completely crumpled, abandoned just feet from the shattered shopfront.

Debris littered the pavement as forensic officers work behind the blue-and-white police tape.

Locals woke to the shocking sight, with one resident describing it as “like something out of a movie.”

“I was shocked by the scene this morning,” said one woman who lives nearby. “St Boswells is usually such a quiet wee place — this is highly concerning.”

It’s understood the gang struck during the night, ramming the vehicle into the storefront in a brazen bid to remove the cash machine.

The extent of the damage suggests significant force was used.

Officers remain at the scene, and the Co-op has been closed while investigations continue.

Police Scotland have confirmed that enquiries are ongoing, and both the Co-op and Police Scotland have been approached for official comment.

The incident marks a rare and unsettling moment for the tight-knit Borders village.

Residents are being urged to avoid the Station Yard area while forensic teams carry out their work.

Images:Supplied

07/10/2025

Former Spartans Player Jailed for Ra**ng Woman Who Tried to Help Him

A young Scottish footballer has been jailed for ra**ng a woman who had offered him help after a night out.

Nineteen-year-old Niall Geany, a former player for lower-league side Spartans, was sentenced to three years and nine months at the High Court in Glasgow after being found guilty of r**e to injury.

The attack took place on March 3, 2024, at the victim’s home in Edinburgh.

The court heard that Geany and the woman had shared a taxi after a night out with friends.

When he became stranded near her address, she invited him in so he could charge his mobile phone and arrange a lift home.

Despite knowing the woman had a boyfriend and showing no romantic interest in him, Geany attempted to initiate s*xual contact.

She repeatedly told him “no” and “stop”, but he continued to assault her, eventually ra**ng her and leaving her injured.

Witnesses later described the woman as being visibly distressed, and her behaviour was said to have changed noticeably following the incident.

Passing sentence, Judge Alistair Watson said:

“She allowed you into her home and placed her trust in you that night. You clearly committed the crime of r**e.

The victim impact statement details the massive effect your actions have had on her.

The harm you caused continues to affect her both physically and mentally, and the degree of harm is particularly high.

I must acknowledge the aggravating factor that this offence took place in her own bedroom — a place where she should have been safe.”

Judge Watson noted Geany’s “high intelligence” and assessed him as posing a “low risk of reoffending”, expressing hope that he could be rehabilitated.

“Given your youth in particular,” he added, “I am exceptionally going to impose a shorter period of custody for a crime of this nature.”

Geany, from Kirkliston, near Edinburgh, will begin his sentence in a young offenders’ institution before being transferred to prison.

As part of the sentence, he was placed on the s*x offenders register and made subject to an indefinite non-harassment order preventing any contact with his victim.

During the hearing, a man in the public gallery shouted “Yes” as the sentence was announced.

Defence solicitor Richard Souter described his client as “exceptional in academic and sporting terms”, acknowledging the seriousness of the offence and accepting that a custodial sentence was inevitable.

Image:Spartans

07/10/2025

North Bridge Reopens After Fire.

North Bridge has now reopened following an incident that caused widespread disruption across Edinburgh earlier this morning.

The bridge, one of the city’s key transport links between the Old and New Towns, was closed for an hour as emergency services attended the scene.

The closure brought traffic and public transport to a standstill, with multiple Lothian Buses services forced to divert.

In a statement released, Police Scotland confirmed that the incident has been resolved and the area has been made safe.

All emergency services — including the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service — have now left the scene.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said:

“The incident on North Bridge has concluded safely. We would like to thank the public for their patience and cooperation while emergency services responded.”

Similarly, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service expressed gratitude to the public for avoiding the area during the closure, allowing emergency crews to carry out their work swiftly and safely.

Traffic has since returned to normal, and all Lothian Buses services have resumed their usual routes.

North Bridge, which has been the focus of ongoing repair works for several years, is once again open to vehicles and pedestrians.

Police have confirmed that there is no ongoing risk to the public. The matter is now considered closed.

07/10/2025

BREAKING NEWS: Major Emergency Incident Shuts Down Edinburgh’s North Bridge

One of the city’s busiest routes, North Bridge, has been completely closed this morning as emergency services respond to a serious ongoing incident, causing major disruption across central Edinburgh.

The closure, which began shortly after 8 a.m., has led to chaotic scenes as police cordons sealed off the area and diverted both traffic and pedestrians.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Police Scotland, and the Scottish Ambulance Service remain at the scene, with several emergency vehicles stationed along the bridge and surrounding streets.

According to eyewitnesses, the situation appears to be deeply concerning. One witness, who had been working nearby, told us:

“They are still working to repair the bridge, which has taken years, and all the workmen have been removed off site. Apparently, there’s a fire on the scaffolding in one of the welfare pods”.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said:

“We were alerted at 7.44am on Tuesday, 7 October, to reports of a fire on North Bridge, Edinburgh.

“Operations Control mobilised three appliances and a high-reach vehicle to the scene, where firefighters extinguished a fire affecting a construction cabin.

“There were no reported casualties and crews left the scene at approximately 9am after ensuring the area was made safe.”

The closure has caused widespread disruption to public transport. Lothian Buses announced that multiple routes — including services 3, 29, 30, 31, 33, 37, X29, X31, X33, and X37 — have been diverted. In a statement on their website, the company said:

“Due to a road closure, services are unable to serve North Bridge and are instead diverted via Frederick Street, George Street, The Mound and Chambers Street in both directions until further notice.”

North Bridge, a vital link between Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns, has been under repair for several years, with work already causing significant travel disruption.

Today’s emergency has intensified the strain on the city’s morning commute, with heavy traffic reported on diversion routes across the city centre.

Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have both been approached for comment, but no official statement has yet been released.

Motorists and pedestrians are being urged to avoid the area and seek alternative routes until further notice.

This is a developing story — updates to follow as more information becomes available.

06/10/2025

Falkirk Woman Spared Jail After Armed Gang Forced Her to Keep Dozens of Neglected Dogs

A terrified Falkirk woman who was coerced by armed men into turning her small council home into a dumping ground for sick and starving dogs has been spared jail.

Emma Marshall, 39, kept around 20 dogs — including XL Bullys with cropped ears, Chow Chows, bulldogs, crossbreeds, and a dachshund — inside her cramped property on Blinkbonny Road, where inspectors later uncovered scenes described as “truly dreadful.”

The Scottish SPCA, accompanied by social workers, attended the address after receiving reports of concern.

What they found inside shocked even seasoned investigators: a stench of ammonia filled the air as dogs were discovered in skeletal condition, suffering from untreated skin and ear infections, pressure sores, broken bones, and eye injuries. One was so emaciated it could no longer stand.

Prosecutor Karen Chambers told Falkirk Sheriff Court that officials described one female XL Bully as “looking like a bag of bones.” Some animals were found to be 40% under their proper body weight.

Eighteen dogs were removed from the house during the raid on May 14, 2023, but despite the charity’s efforts, one died within half an hour of arrival and 11 had to be euthanised.

Four have since found new homes, while three remain in SSPCA care.

Marshall, a first-time offender and full-time carer for her disabled child, admitted 18 charges of causing unnecessary suffering to animals under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act.

Her solicitor, Gordon Addison, told the court that Marshall had been targeted and threatened by men who used her as a storage point for unwanted and unwell dogs.

He said:

“She was terrified. These men would arrive after dark, sometimes armed, leaving more and more dogs with her. When the food ran out, it simply ran out.”

The court heard that Marshall has since been rehoused multiple times with police support, living in fear of reprisals from those who coerced her.

Sheriff Neil Kinnear said the Crown’s account painted a “truly dreadful picture” and described it as “the worst case of animal cruelty” he had ever encountered.

However, he accepted that Marshall had acted under duress and was a vulnerable woman exploited by violent individuals.

He told her:

“You were effectively coerced with force into keeping dogs that were already in appalling condition.

I am satisfied that this was not something you fabricated.”

Taking her vulnerability and caring responsibilities into account, Sheriff Kinnear imposed a six-month curfew, requiring her to remain at home between 7pm and 7am, alongside two years of social work supervision. Marshall was also banned from keeping dogs indefinitely.

06/10/2025

Police Investigate Break-In at Edinburgh Pharmacy After Theft of Weight-Loss Drug Mounjaro

Police are investigating after an Edinburgh pharmacy was broken into during the night in a raid that saw a large quantity of the weight-loss drug Mounjaro stolen.

The incident took place at East Craigs Pharmacy on Bughtlin Market, which is understood to have been targeted late on Saturday night.

Shocked staff arrived on Sunday morning to discover that the medication — which has surged in popularity as a treatment for both type 2 diabetes and weight loss — was missing.

Mounjaro, the brand name for tirzepatide, works by suppressing appetite and regulating blood sugar levels.

The injection activates receptors in the body that increase hormone production, boost insulin when needed, and slow digestion.

Due to its growing demand and high market value, Mounjaro has become a target for theft in recent months.

While it is available through the NHS and private providers, its cost and limited supply have driven a rise in illegal resales.

Police Scotland have launched an investigation and are urging members of the public not to buy or accept the drug from unofficial sources, warning that it could pose serious health risks if obtained or used without proper medical supervision.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said:

“Around 12.40pm on Sunday, 5 October, 2025, we received a report of a break-in to and theft from a premises on Bughtlin Market, Edinburgh. Enquiries are ongoing.”

Officers are asking anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the area or who has information about the theft to come forward.

06/10/2025

ScotRail Launches £50 Unlimited Travel Deal for Families This October

Families across Scotland are being encouraged to get out and explore this October, thanks to a new offer from ScotRail that makes travelling together more affordable than ever.

For just £50, up to two adults and four children can enjoy unlimited travel across ScotRail’s entire network during the October school holidays.

The deal allows families to hop on and off trains as often as they like, opening up opportunities for day trips, weekend breaks, and spontaneous adventures throughout the country.

Whether it’s soaking up the sights of Edinburgh, taking in the waterfront views in Aberdeen, exploring the rugged landscapes of the Highlands, or enjoying a seaside day out in Ayr, the offer gives families the chance to see more of Scotland — without breaking the bank.

A ScotRail spokesperson said the deal is all about “making it easier for families to explore, connect, and create memories together this autumn.”

The £50 Family Travel Pass is available for a limited time over the school holidays, so families are encouraged to plan their journeys soon.

Where would you go?

05/10/2025

Teenager Launches Campaign for Mandatory CPR Lessons After Losing Both Parents to Heart Conditions

A 16-year-old schoolboy from Gourock has launched a heartfelt campaign calling for mandatory CPR lessons in all Scottish schools after tragically losing both of his parents to heart conditions within just a few years.

Cameron McGerr, a pupil at Clydeview Academy, lost his mum Lynne in April 2022 following a heart attack, and his dad Kevin earlier this year after a cardiac arrest.

In response, Cameron has channelled his grief into action, founding the “Pulse for Life” campaign to ensure that every young person in Scotland learns vital lifesaving skills.

Speaking about his motivation, Cameron said:

“Both came as a shock. But I’d decided I wanted to do something about it.

My parents would have wanted the best for me.

They wouldn’t have wanted me sat around waiting – I’d say I still am grieving, but this is just my way of it.

They’d want me to go out and make a difference to people.”

Cameron is now taking his message to the Scottish Parliament, urging MSPs to introduce a compulsory CPR training session as part of PE lessons in secondary schools.

Under his proposal, pupils would take part in a full CPR session early in high school, followed by a refresher course in fourth year.

His campaign has received strong backing from St Andrew’s First Aid, a charity that already delivers CPR workshops to young people across Scotland.

Trainer Martyn McLauchlan, who recently ran a session for Cameron and his classmates, said:

“About eight out of ten cardiac arrests happen in the home. So predominantly it’s going to be young people who are quite close to that.

We fully back Cameron’s campaign – it’s very, very important.”

Cameron addressed MSPs directly this week, acknowledging that the road ahead may be challenging but expressing determination to see the change through.

“This will be a long process,” he told them, “but the chance would make an astronomical difference.”

The Pulse for Life campaign aims to ensure every pupil leaves school with the confidence and knowledge to perform CPR and use a defibrillator – potentially saving countless lives in the future.

Should first aid and other life saving skills such as the use of a defibrillator and CPR be taught as part of the school curriculum?

05/10/2025

New “Safe Connect” Fob Launched to Support People Living with Dementia in Scotland

Alzheimer’s Scotland and Police Scotland have joined forces to launch a new initiative designed to support people living with dementia and enhance their safety within local communities.

The innovative scheme, known as Safe Connect, centres around a discreet yellow fob that can be carried or attached to clothing.

Using near field communication (NFC) technology, the Safe Connect fob securely stores emergency contact details that can be accessed by scanning the fob with a smartphone.

This allows anyone—particularly emergency services or members of the public—to quickly identify and assist someone who may have become lost or disorientated, helping them reunite swiftly with their families or carers.

Following a successful trial, the Safe Connect fobs are now available free of charge.

They can be requested by contacting the Alzheimer’s Scotland Dementia Advisory Team via email at [email protected] or by calling 0300 373 5774.
Those requesting a fob are asked to include their name and address.

The initiative forms part of a wider effort to promote independence, reassurance, and safety for people living with dementia across Scotland.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said:

“This initiative, in partnership with Alzheimer’s Scotland, provides a positive and practical tool for those living with the illness and offers reassurance to relatives and carers alike.

Having a fob allows police to recognise a person’s condition quickly and reunite them safely with their loved ones.

I urge anyone who has a loved one affected by dementia to request a fob, regardless of what stage the illness is at.”

Alzheimer’s Scotland hopes that Safe Connect will empower individuals living with dementia to maintain greater independence while providing peace of mind to families and communities throughout the country.

05/10/2025

BREAKING: Fire Erupts in Parkgrove Road Flat as Emergency Crews Rush to Scene

A blaze broke out in a residential property on Parkgrove Road, in Edinburgh’s Clermiston area, late last night, prompting a swift and large-scale response from emergency services.

The alarm was raised at around 8.20pm on Saturday, October 4, when a fire was reported in a flat within the building. Residents were quickly evacuated as crews from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) arrived on the scene.

Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as firefighters battled to contain the blaze, while others comforted shocked residents outside. Photos shared with us show people wrapped in blankets being treated for the effects of smoke inhalation.

Fortunately, no one required hospital treatment.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said:

“We were called at 8.24pm on Saturday 4th October to reports of a fire within a flat on Parkgrove Road, Edinburgh.

Operations Control mobilised three appliances. We left the scene at around 9.52pm after making the area safe.”

The Scottish Ambulance Service also attended, confirming:

“We were called to assist emergency service partners at a fire within a residential property on Parkgrove Road, Edinburgh. Two people were treated for the effects of smoke prior to our arrival and did not require hospital treatment.”

Firefighters managed to prevent the blaze from spreading beyond the affected flat, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Locals praised the rapid response of emergency services, saying the incident could have been far worse.

Images: supplied AS

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