Tackling Threat and Risk

SERIOUS VIOLENCE INCLUDING HOMICIDE

Police Scotland recognises the impact that serious violence including homicide has on victims and families, and the wider impact such criminality can have on community safety and cohesion. Police Scotland drives consistently high standards of homicide investigation, underpinned by empathy, compassion, professionalism and justice. Every death is unique, and every homicide investigation presents its own particular challenges.

Since the last update to the Board, Police Scotland has led investigations into two instances of homicide across Scotland.

Owing to the professional response by officers from local crime division, assisted by officers in Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Teams, both homicide investigations have resulted in the identification and arrest of an accused person and the circumstances have been reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS).

Significant Update - Murder of Anthony Ferns

On Thursday 18 April 2019, Anthony Ferns, aged 33, was assaulted whilst within his car on Crebar Street, Thornliebank. Tragically, Anthony succumbed to his injuries, and died a short time later.

A murder investigation was launched and this had been the only undetected homicide since the inception of Police Scotland.

On Friday 15 September 2023 four males, aged 37, 48, 54 and 67 were arrested and charged in connection with Mr Ferns’ death and appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court having been charged in relation to the murder.

Significant Sentence - Culpable Homicide of Anthony Parsons

On 29 September 2017, charity cyclist Anthony Parsons, aged 63, was hit by a car driven by Alexander McKellar, aged 31. Alexander’s brother, Robert McKellar, also aged 31, was a passenger in the vehicle at the time.

The incident was not reported to the police and no medical intervention or assistance was sought for Anthony Parsons, who tragically died from his injuries. Mr Parsons was reported as a missing person, and despite exhaustive investigation work carried out by officers at the time, and extensive coverage in the media, the brothers did not come forward to disclose what happened.

In December 2020, information received led to the brothers being arrested and charged, and following searches carried out in January 2021, the remains of Mr Parsons were recovered from a remote area near to Bridge of Orchy, Argyll and Bute.

On Wednesday 26 July 2023, Alexander McKellar pled guilty to Culpable Homicide and Attempting to Defeat the Ends of Justice and Robert McKellar pleaded guilty to Attempting to Defeat the Ends of Justice. They were sentenced to 12 years, and 5 years and 3 months, respectively.

The brutal and uncaring actions of these men left the family of Mr Parsons distraught, and our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Mr Parsons.

I would like to thank the local community for their help and assistance during this complex investigation and thank members of the public who came forward and provided information, so bringing these men to justice.

SERIOUS ORGANISED CRIME

Police Scotland is committed to working with partners and use every tool and tactic at our disposal to tackle Serious and Organised Crime and identify all those who profit from such criminality.

On Tuesday 5 September, an intelligence led day of action was undertaken to target county lines drug activity in Edinburgh. Eight men were arrested, cocaine worth around £225,000 and £30,000 cash was seized across eight addresses in Edinburgh and two in London, with support from the Metropolitan Police. The eight men, aged between 21 and 41, were charged in connection with various drug and immigration offences and appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday, 6 September.

In a separate intelligence led operation on Wednesday 6 September, officers executed a search warrant at an address in Glasgow, resulting in a 28-year-old man being arrested and charged in connection with the possession of drugs worth an estimated street value of £413,000. During the search, significant quantities of heroin, cocaine, amphetamine, and cannabis were recovered.

On Tuesday 12 September 2023, in an intelligence led operation into the manufacture and distribution of drugs in Mid and East Lothian, a pill press was recovered at the target address along with evidence of a sophisticated manufacturing process. The pill press was capable of producing 200,000 pills per hour. During the search, 900,000 Valium pills worth an estimated street value of £900,000 were recovered alongside a large quantity of powder which tested positive for cocaine. A number of assets were seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, and two men, aged 62 and 42 were arrested and charged in connection with drug supply offences.

Police Scotland will continue to work with local, national, and international partners to disrupt the activities of serious and organised criminals who operate in Scotland and make the country a hostile environment for those who cause most harm to our communities.