Every day on Criminal Record we will be bringing you a round-up of the biggest crime stories of the day.
If you love to read about crime in Scotland – this is the place to be every day.
Here’s what has been making the news across the country on Saturday.
Police have arrested and charged a 58-year-old man following the death of a 54-year-old man in South Queensferry. Emergency services were called to Morison Gardens at around 6.10am on Friday after reports that a man had been assaulted.
Paramedics attended the scene but the 54-year-old victim was pronounced dead shortly afterwards. Police Scotland confirmed the death is being treated as suspicious, and a post-mortem examination will take place to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
The 58-year-old suspect was arrested on Friday and has since been charged in connection with the death. He is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 25 May.
FULL STORY: Man charged over South Queensferry ‘stabbing’ as fatal police probe continues
A man who narrowly avoided a prison sentence for a brutal hammer attack has admitted abusing his partner less than a month later.
Finnley McIntyre, 24, appeared at Perth Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to acting aggressively towards the new mother of his child on 6 May.
View 4 ImagesFinnley McIntyre(Image: Gordon Currie)
The court heard McIntyre caused fear and alarm by slamming a door, kicking household items, and throwing a pram and a toy during the incident.
Despite the new offence, he was granted bail and will return to court for sentencing next month.
FULL STORY: Hammer thug who avoided jail admits abusing girlfriend 26 days after walking free
Gangs of London actor Brian Vernel has said the families of serial killer Peter Manuel’s victims will be treated with “100 per cent” respect as he prepares to portray the infamous murderer in a new stage production.
The Long Drop, based on Denise Mina’s novel, opens next month at Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre and explores the crimes of the so-called Beast of Birkenshaw, who murdered seven people across Scotland in the 1950s.
View 4 ImagesBrian Vernel as Peter Manuel
Vernel acknowledged the emotional impact Manuel’s crimes still have on families and communities, noting that many people in Glasgow and Lanarkshire remain closely connected to the victims or the case itself.
His comments come after previous dramatisations of Manuel’s crimes sparked controversy, including ITV’s In Plain Sight starring Martin Compston, which faced criticism from relatives of victims who feared it would reopen old wounds.
FULL STORY: ‘Victims’ loved ones will be respected if they come to watch me play Peter Manuel’
The body of 32-year-old Billy Weatherall was discovered by a dog walker near Erskine in Renfrewshire in February 1996, in what police quickly recognised as a gangland-style execution.
Weatherall had been shot in the head and left near the River Clyde, close to the M8 junction at Bishopton, suggesting the killers had local knowledge of the area.
View 4 ImagesBilly Weatherall (Image: No Name)
At the time of his death, Weatherall was on trial at the High Court in Stirling over a violent prison riot at Glenochil Prison involving seven other men.
He had been attending court daily while on bail, but failed to appear after being last seen near Maryhill Shopping Centre in Glasgow the night before his body was found.
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Investigators explored theories that he may have been planning to give evidence against his co-accused or had become involved in disputes linked to Glasgow’s criminal underworld.
FULL STORY: Bloodstained body found by dog walker revealed chilling underworld execution
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