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

08/09/2025

Amazon Prime Exposes Dating App Predator Christopher Harkins

A new documentary released on Amazon Prime last night has laid bare the shocking crimes of serial fraudster and s*x offender Christopher Harkins.

Harkins exploited online dating platforms to lure women with affection and promises of love, before manipulating and conning them out of money.

Behind the charm, he subjected victims to a pattern of abuse, threats, and violence.

The scale of his offending escalated until he was brought before the High Court in Paisley, where he was jailed for 12 years for a string of serious s*xual and violent crimes, including r**e.

His offences, committed between 2013 and 2019, spanned multiple areas of Scotland, including Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Inverclyde, Edinburgh, Stirling, Paisley, and West Lothian.

Police Scotland’s Domestic Abuse Task Force launched a dedicated investigation into Harkins in October 2019.

Detective Inspector Iain Renfrew condemned him as a “violent and contemptible individual” who preyed on women seeking love and companionship.

“Harkins deceived his victims into believing they were in exclusive, loving relationships, when in truth his only motive was money,” said DI Renfrew. “Once he gained their trust, he used manipulation, coercion, violence, and threats to steal thousands of pounds, which he spent on a lavish lifestyle.”

Renfrew praised the bravery of the women who testified, stating: “This conviction is a tremendous credit to those who came forward. Their courage is the reason Harkins has finally been brought to justice.”

He added that the case underscored the many forms domestic abuse can take: “It is not only physical or s*xual but can include financial exploitation and coercive control. It is always about power, control, and manipulation – and it leaves lasting scars. We hope today’s verdict encourages others facing similar abuse to come forward, knowing that police will act.”

Image: Police Scotland

08/09/2025

Police Inspector Sacked After Sexually Assault Allegations on Two Colleagues.

A British Transport Police inspector has been dismissed after a misconduct panel found he s*xually assaulted two female colleagues during staff nights out in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Inspector Ryan Tierney was removed from the force following a public hearing in August, where an independent panel ruled he carried out “unwanted touching” while drunk.

The panel concluded Tierney showed no remorse, denied any wrongdoing, and accused the women of fabricating evidence.

Complaints were lodged in 2022 after it was revealed he was due to receive an award for “male allyship” in recognition of his support for a female colleague.

One woman reported that Tierney made s*xual remarks and assaulted her during a night out at Maggie May’s bar in Glasgow in December 2016. Although she did not pursue a complaint at the time, the panel later upheld her allegation.

A second incident was found proven from December 2013, when Tierney groped another colleague during a Christmas night out at the Alexander Graham Bell pub in Edinburgh. Despite her repeated protests, he only stopped after several objections.

She reported the matter to Police Scotland in 2023.

Tierney was acquitted of s*xual assault at Glasgow Sheriff Court in 2024, but the misconduct panel said it placed “no weight” on the criminal outcome, stressing that the two processes are judged by different standards.

Following the findings, Tierney was dismissed without notice.

Professional Standards Manager Kam Saund said the case underlined the force’s commitment to accountability:

“Inspector Tierney’s dismissal shows we will never dismiss allegations as historic.

He displayed no remorse, instead trying to shift blame onto the victims.

A police officer s*xually assaulting two women is profoundly damaging to public trust, and I fully support the panel’s decision to dismiss him immediately.”

08/09/2025

Body Discovered on Princes Street Sparks Major Police Response

Princes Street was thrown into chaos on Monday morning after the body of a man was discovered outside a busy city centre store.

Emergency services raced to the scene outside H&M shortly after 9am, with an ambulance and three police cars stationed at the cordoned-off area.

The Scottish Ambulance Service confirmed they received a call at 9:03am and arrived on scene within a minute.

Police have confirmed the death is being treated as unexplained, with enquiries now underway to determine the full circumstances.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said:

“Around 9.10am on Monday, September 8, the body of a man was found on Princes Street, Edinburgh.

The death is being treated as unexplained and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”

An eyewitness said: “I was walking to work this morning when I saw lots of police cars pulling up with the ambulance, they started to tape off the area and ask pedestrians to walk on the other side of the road. It’s such a shame. A forensics vans now there”.

The discovery caused significant disruption to public transport, with dozens of Lothian Buses services—including the 1, 3, 4, 15, 16, 19, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 37, 43, 44, 107, 113, 124, X26, X29, X31, X33, X37, X44, X18, X27, X28, X5, X7, X19 and X4—delayed or diverted eastbound.

Passengers are being urged to check the Lothian Buses website for the latest updates.

08/09/2025

Teen Rushed to Hospital After Alleged Assault at Derelict Site

A 14-year-old boy was taken to hospital after an alleged assault at a disused property in Edinburgh.

Emergency services raced to the scene on Riverside Road, near Cramond, at around 4:45pm on Sunday, September 7.

The site, part of the long-abandoned military homes once linked to Craigiehall barracks, which housed the Black Watch and The 2nd infantry division, has in recent years become a hotspot for urban explorers who film their “adventures” for social media platforms.

The teenager was treated at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for his injuries.

His current condition has not been disclosed.

Police confirmed that a 41-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the incident and is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday, September 9.

A 33-year-old man and a 17-year-old youth were also arrested as part of the investigation, with enquiries ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said:

“Emergency services attended and a 14-year-old male youth was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.

A 41-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection and due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Tuesday, 9 September, 2025.

A 33-year-old man and a 17-year-old male youth were also arrested and enquiries are ongoing.”

08/09/2025

City Bypass Brought to Halt Following Morning Collision

Commuters faced major disruption this morning after a serious collision on the eastbound carriageway of the city bypass.

Emergency crews rushed to the scene at around 8:45am, following a crash involving a car and a motorbike between the Baberton and Dreghorn junctions.

Images from the scene show both police officers and paramedics in attendance.

It is understood that at least one casualty was transported to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment.

The extent of their injuries remains unclear at this time.

Image: ML

07/09/2025

Blaze Rips Through Former Health Centre in West Lothian

Thick black smoke is billowing across Blackburn this afternoon after a fire broke out at the village’s former health centre on Ash Grove.

Four fire appliances and a height appliance, supported by Police Scotland, are currently on the scene.

Crews are battling the flames from outside as the blaze spreads rapidly through the roof space of the disused building.

Residents living nearby have been urged to keep their windows shut to protect themselves from potentially toxic smoke and may be subject to evacuation as homes fill with smoke and smoke detectors are being activated.

Ash Grove has been closed to traffic, with both motorists and pedestrians advised to avoid the area.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
spokesperson said:

“We were alerted at 3.20pm on Sunday, 7 September, to reports of a fire affecting a derelict building on Ash Grove in Blackburn.

“Operations Control mobilised four fire appliances and a high reach appliance to the scene, and crews are working to extinguish the fire.

There are no reported casualties.

“Due to smoke in the area, we advise that local residents keep their windows and doors closed.”

Images: Breaking news

07/09/2025

Jailed: Abuser Who Attacked Girlfriend While Driving at High Speed

A violent thug branded a “maximum risk” domestic abuser has been jailed after launching a terrifying assault on his girlfriend while driving at excessive speed along the Edinburgh bypass.

Mujtaba Choudry, 23, grabbed the young woman by the hair, smashed her head against the car door and threatened her as his black Audi S-Line swerved across the A720. The ordeal began when the 20-year-old victim told him she wanted to end their relationship.

For six months, Choudry subjected her to a relentless campaign of control and violence. He dictated who she could see, monitored her social media, rang her obsessively, and threatened to harm himself if she tried to leave.

The abuse quickly escalated. On several occasions he throttled her, cutting off her breathing. He kicked her in the head, dragged her across the floor, hurled her belongings and ignored court orders to stay away.

Even after they split, he stalked her — bombarding her with withheld calls, turning up at her home, assaulting her again and stealing her phone to impersonate her in messages to her own mother.

At Stirling Sheriff Court, Sheriff Euan Gosney said Choudry had shown “controlling, violent and manipulative” behaviour throughout the six-month ordeal. A social work report branded him “maximum risk” with “entrenched behaviours.”

Despite a plea of “genuine remorse” from his lawyer, Choudry was jailed for two years, handed a 12-month supervision order on release, and banned from contacting his victim for ten years.

Sheriff Gosney told him:

“You sought to isolate her, control her, belittle her and repeatedly assaulted her — including throttling her, kicking her and attacking her while driving at high speed on a busy road. You not only put her life in danger, but also the lives of other road users.”

Choudry, from Alloa, has a previous conviction for abusing the same victim — but this is the first time he has been jailed.

A source close to the victim said:

“People have the right to know the monster he really is.”

06/09/2025

Princes street has now opened following an incident earlier

06/09/2025

🚨 Breaking News – Edinburgh 🚨

Edinburgh City Centre in Lockdown

A major city centre thoroughfare has been sealed off this afternoon after a suspicious item was reportedly delivered to a business premises.

The alarm was raised around 1pm, triggering a full-scale emergency response.

Police, ambulance and fire crews rushed to the scene, with vehicles forming a barricade along the stretch between the Balmoral Hotel and South St Andrews Street.

Princes Street remains closed between North Bridge and South St Andrews Street as specialist teams investigate the item.

Lothian Buses has confirmed diversions are now in place for all services operating between the Balmoral Hotel and Waverley Bridge.

Emergency services have been contacted for further comment.

06/09/2025

HM Coastguard Recruiting soon:

Have you got what it takes to join local teams that save lives.

HM Coastguard is about to start looking for new volunteers to step forward and join its lifesaving teams across the east coast of Scotland.

If you live locally and want to make a real difference in your community, now is your chance to become a Coastguard Rescue Officer.

Coastguard teams in the area include:
▪️ Eyemouth
▪️ Dunbar
▪️ North Berwick
▪️ Fisherrow (Musselburgh)
▪️ South Queensferry
▪️ Kinghorn
▪️ Leven
▪️ St Andrews

As part of one of these rescue teams, you’ll be trained to respond to emergencies such as cliff rescues, missing person searches, and coastal incidents — working side by side with fellow volunteers to save lives.

What you’ll need:
• Commitment to your community
• Good health and reasonable fitness
• The ability to respond to callouts, day or
Night.

• Willingness to learn new skills through
Specialist training.

All training and equipment are provided. While the role is voluntary, the reward comes from knowing you are part of the UK’s frontline emergency service and a team that is always ready to respond.

👉 Interested? Applications open soon - for more information follow the link in comments.

Image: South Queensferry Coastguard

06/09/2025

The Judge Never Took His Freedom

A repeat shoplifter who raided Boots twice in the space of a week has avoided jail despite stealing more than £150 worth of goods.

William Wallace, 38, targeted the pharmacy on Haddington’s High Street in June, first snatching a £19 perfume gift pack before returning just days later to steal two skincare products worth £140.

The stolen items were never recovered, the court was told.

Wallace, of Bridge Street, Haddington, was later arrested and admitted both thefts when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Last week, Sheriff Christopher Dickson spared him a prison sentence, instead imposing an 18-month community payback order.

Under the terms, Wallace will be supervised by social workers and must attend alcohol counselling sessions when directed.

The decision means Wallace keeps his liberty — but remains under strict watch in the community.

06/09/2025

Edinburgh man jailed after using “wrestling-style move” to pin down woman before ra**ng her

A 37-year-old Edinburgh man has been found guilty of ra**ng a woman in her own home after pinning her down with what was described as a “wrestling-style move.”

Innocent Megbolu targeted his victim at a property in Leith on August 21, 2023. During his trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, jurors heard that he overpowered the woman before s*xually assaulting her, later denying any wrongdoing.

Despite his claims of innocence, the court was told how the victim immediately confided in friends following the ordeal.

One witness recalled her describing how Megbolu “flipped her over, like a wrestling move,” before forcing himself on her.

The witness said the victim appeared “shaken, grey and exhausted,” adding that she was “trembling, really trembling” in the hours after the attack.

Another woman told the court she received a phone call from the victim, during which she disclosed she had been r**ed.

Police launched an investigation shortly afterwards, gathering evidence that led to Megbolu’s arrest and prosecution.

On Friday, after a day of deliberations, the jury returned a guilty verdict.

Judge Alistair Watson immediately revoked Megbolu’s bail and ordered a background report before sentencing.

Addressing him in court, Judge Watson said:
“You have been found guilty of r**e.

This is a very serious crime. I require a fuller picture of who you are and the risk you pose to the public and women in particular.

Be in no doubt you will face a significant custodial sentence.”

Megbolu, of Craigmillar, had no previous convictions. His defence counsel, Jonathan Campbell, acknowledged that a prison sentence was inevitable following the conviction.

He will be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on October 6, 2025.

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