THREE KILLERS JAILED FOR 50 YEARS
Monsters face up to justice
Three South Ayrshire killers have been jailed for half a century during a chilling week of justice.
Ross Willox, 42, was caged for a minimum of 20 years for the murder of Emma Faulds at his home in Monkton in April 2019.
David Hose, 30, will serve at least 18 years for the rape and murder of Ayr mum Kirsty Robertson at her home in October 2019.
And Brian Penn, 30, will serve 12 years for killing his baby son Kaleb in 2017.
Girvan has the worst high street in the UK, according to a recent report.
The town’s high street ranked in last place out of 1000 high streets and town centres in the Vitality Ranking 2021 report from retail real estate consultancy Harper Dennis Hobbs.
Harper Dennis Hobbs (HDH) publish a ranking every two years with their conclusions based on several factors including shop vacancy rates, the number of discount stores and‘ low value’ units like bookmakers.
Andy Metherell, at Harper Dennis Hobbs, said Girvan“scored poorly due to a very weak retail offer [and] the town has a relatively high vacancy rate at 28 per cent.”
The undesirable accolade was hotly disputed by all three of the town’s councillors who said the ranking was ‘disheartening’ and that ‘Girvan deserves better’. Cllr Alec Clark said: “I don’t think it’s the very worst – I’m not saying it’s the best by any means and it certainly needs attention.
“We deserve better. We’ve got very good independent businesses here. We have got an array of independent shops offering all different things and we’re working very hard to improve the environment in the street.”
Cllr Ian Fitzsimmons, who was born in Girvan, said: “It really is disheartening for all the work that goes on.”
Cllr Peter Henderson (left) said the report“takes little account of geography, employment or demographics”.
He added: “It [the report] does not promote the Buy Local campaign or the community wealth building programme.
“It fails to address the causes and makes no mention of the prescience of a supermarket which the local retailers have to compete against.”
South Ayrshire Council rubbished Harper Dennis Hobbs’ Vitality Ranking 2021, adding that“scope of the report is very limited”.
A spokesman added: “If the report author ever visited Girvan, they would find a bustling coastal town with a rich history and attractive views across the Firth of Clyde.
“Girvan will benefit from the South Ayrshire shopfront scheme which is helping businesses improve their premises and attract new investment.
“Work is also about to start which will improve the promenade area and a place plan has also been finalised for the town which has identified key projects which could help transform Girvan over the next few years.”