Two men have been remanded after allegedly running a cannabis farm in Dundee.
Noter Medulaj and Murat Aruci appeared in private from custody at Dundee Sheriff Court.
Both men are alleged to have produced cannabis at a property in Camperdown Road and are further accused of being concerned in the supply of the Class B drug there on February 20.
Aruci faces a further allegation of attempting to pervert the course of justice by hiding in the loft there and attempting to reset his mobile phone to factory settings after becoming aware that police had entered the premises.
Neither Medulaj, 20, or Aruci, 31, aided by an Albanian interpreter, made any plea.
Both men are listed as having no fixed abode and were remanded.
Fatal shooting build-up
The High Court in Dundee has heard how three hunting friends had only been in Scotland 24 hours when tragedy struck and one was killed in a shotgun blast outside Dundee. A jury heard statements from culpable homicide accused Franco Moroni given in the immediate aftermath of the death of Marco Cavola in the Carse of Gowrie.
Knifeman’s ‘cry for help’
A serial knife carrier “chapped” on police station windows with a blade to apparently get himself back into prison.
William Vanbeck‘s defence lawyer told Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court her client feels “more comfortable in custody”.
Vanbeck, 44, appeared in court by video link from Perth prison to admit his latest two knife possession offences.
Procurator fiscal depute Douglas Thomson said intoxicated Vanbeck was seen with a kitchen-style knife tucked into his trouser waistband at Kirkcaldy bus station on the evening of January 19 this year.
He put it down when asked by witnesses and police were called.
He was taken to Kirkcaldy police station where officers found a locking Stanley knife in his trouser pocket.
Defence lawyer Elizabeth Dryburgh said her client has a “long list of analogous offences” and “significant difficulty with alcohol”.
The solicitor described Vanbeck’s latest offending as “another one of those cries for help”, adding: “He feels more comfortable in custody”.
Sheriff Alison McKay pointed out that Vanbeck had been carrying a knife during all of his last five offences.
Ms Dryburgh said: “Most have been where he attended the police station and chapped on a window with the knife”.The sheriff said: “Because he knows a knife gets him into custody?”
Ms Dryburgh replied: “He knows what the end result is, unfortunately”.
Vanbeck was sentenced to a total of 16 months in prison.
Killer cleared to drive again
Julie Watson, who killed cyclist Alistair Speed in a collision while using her mobile phone in Fife in 2013 has had her driving ban lifted early. She was jailed for five years and disqualified from holding a licence for a decade in 2015 but a judge has agreed to lift the ban early to help her search for work.
Gun and drugs
A Carnoustie drug dealer caught with a rifle at his house has narrowly avoided imprisonment.
Brian Conway, 40, previously admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis resin, possessing a firearm and live ammunition on April 23 2021 at his Burnside Gardens home.
Police uncovered thousands of pounds worth of cannabis resin, cash, a tick-list and the operational firearm stuffed in the wall-space of the house following a tip-off in April 2021.
Solicitor James Caird said: “Mr Conway realises the stupidity of what he’s done.
“He accepts he got himself into this situation. He certainly is remorseful and disappointed by his actions.”
He received the maximum unpaid work sentence available – 300 hours – as well as a year-long restriction of liberty order and supervision as an alternative to jail.
Sheriff Paul Brown said: “You have crossed the threshold for custody but there is mitigation.
“You should be under no illusion though that you are in a position where you could well be going to prison.”
Highway to insurance hell
Robert Love, 58 had his Harley Davidson-style e-scooter seized by police in Perth city centre just moments having it delivered and before he’d even switched it on. He bought the £1,100 ride-on “Chopper” because it was “better for the planet” and easier on his sore back than a pedal bike. He admitted using it without insurance.
Trafficking charge trio warrants
Warrants have been issued to apprehend three people accused of trafficking a man from Bulgaria to Angus and forcing him to work.
Nikolay Georgiev, 28, Marin Georgiev, 25, and Evda Ivanova, 24, were all due to appear at Dundee Sheriff Court in connection with the offences burt none of the Arbroath-based trio appeared.
They face allegations that between November 2021 and February 2022, they required a Bulgarian man to forced labour by inducing him to pay them to arrange travel, accommodation and employment in Scotland.
They are accused of taking control of his ID and passport, opening a bank account in his name and then withholding the bank card.
Furthermore, the group is accused of arranging employment for the man at Dawnfresh Seafoods in Arbroath and then, with control of his bank account, withholding his wages.
The three are accused of paying the man limited funds on the basis he owed them money.
In doing so, it is alleged they restricted his freedom.
Court papers say these actions are connected to serious organised crime.
A second charge states the trio made the man perform forced labour for the purposes of financial exploitation.
Solicitor Grant Bruce said his client Marin Georgiev had returned to Bulgaria to renew his son’s passport, but Sheriff Brown said this could have been done through consular services in the UK.
Facebook rapist jailed
Allen Lothian, 23, from Anstruther was jailed for nine years for rape and abuse. His victims were two young boys, one of whom he stalked relentlessly on Facebook.
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