NON-EU staff trial KO
A Hamilton badminton ace has set up a fundraising page from the other side of the world in a bid to save his pet cat who was involved in a horror hit and run last week.
Jamie Neill, who moved out of the town to New Zealand just five days ago, received a heartbreaking call from his mum to say cat, Jake, had been hit by a car outside their Burnblea Street home.
The 32-year-old, who is one of Scotland’s top badminton coaches, was distraught to hear that Jake (right) suffered a broken jaw, bruised side and will likely lose some of his sight
Following the incident, the badminton professional is hoping to help his family pay for Jake’s emergency lifesaving operations.
He said: “I moved to New Zealand from Scotland five days ago and was told yesterday that Jake was hit by a car outside our house.
“My mum Lesley witnessed it before the driver sped off, leaving her to reach Jake and see the horrific, graphic damage.
“Although she was in shock, she got him to our local vet, then a hospital in Glasgow City Centre.
“He has also lost a lot of blood and has potential kidney damage, as well as any other minor injuries. However, he is alive and been eating a little, but needed several treatments to continue living.
“My mum Lesley and her partner Derek endured immense shock and trauma at seeing, hearing and handling this emergency but are unfortunately also paying thousands on medical expenses.
“Jake is loved by them so much and A trial involving two Hamilton businessmen on a charge of employing non-eu nationals in their restaurant and takeaway will now not go ahead due to insufficient evidence.
Brothers Naeem Ahmed (52) of Hawksland Walk and 57-year-old Shakil Ahmed, of Windmill Road, had pleaded not guilty to a charge under the Immigration Act 1971.
They had been alleged to have provided employment or employment and accommodation to six males between April 2008 and April 2015 at Ahmed Tandoori in Townhead Street and the Pir Mahal in Brandon Street.
The charge had stated that the men facilitated the commission of a breach of immigration law by employing the men who were all non-citizens of the European Union.
The businessmen were also said to have known, or ought to have reasonably known, that such an action breached immigration law, knowing or reasonably having cause to believe that the men were not citizens of the EU.
But at a sheriff and jury sitting at Hamilton Sheriff Court earlier this month the Crown did not call the case.
A Crown spokesperson “We reserve the right to reraise proceedings.”