The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Police probe attack on girl, 14, during attempted robbery
Neighbours have expressed their shock after a 14-year-old girl was attacked near their homes in Angus during an attempted robbery.
Those living in the Ferry Road area of Monifieth have confirmed police were back at the scene yesterday to conduct inquiries door-to-door.
Police Scotland said they were trying to trace the man who pounced on the teenager from behind and tried to rob her on Wednesday at around 9pm.
The man, described as tall and wearing a black hooded jacket, fled towards the central area of Monifieth, leaving his victim with minor injuries.
Many who have lived in the community for a number of years said they were shocked and saddened by the event, with Thomas Greig saying that such an attack is the area.
The 73-year-old added: “I saw the police out here yesterday, but I hadn’t been directly aware of what had gone on.
“It must have been a scary experience for that young girl. I’ve lived here for 18 years or so now and incidents of this nature are unheard of.”
Another resident who did not wish to be named said officers came to their door shortly after the attack asking if they had heard screaming.
They added: “It’s despicable what has happened to that young girl.
“A policewoman came to our door at around 11.30pm that night.
“She asked me if I’d heard any screaming but we knew nothing about it until that point.
“We get the usual
“unheard of” type in of bother with teenagers at the bus shelters but nothing of that nature before – it is a concern to hear what has happened.”
Susan McGrandle, a mother-of-two, sent her wishes to the family and the girl who was attacked.
“I was shocked to hear what had gone on,” she said.
“As a parent myself I was thinking about the girl and her family – they all must have got a hell of a fright.
“We’ve lived here for four years or so and we’ve never heard of anything like this going on around here, it’s such a quiet area.”
A cashier who was working at the Nisa store, close to where the attack happened, confirmed police had been in the store asking about CCTV footage.
Like many in the community she was concerned by the events but “thankful” the young girl hadn’t injured.
Detective Constable Esther Bigham, of Tayside Police Division CID, described the teenage girl’s experience as an “extremely distressing situation”.
She added: “We can only be thankful that she was not more seriously injured.
“We’re asking for anyone who may have been in the area at the time and saw anything suspicious to please come forward and assist our investigation.”
A spokeswoman for Police Scotland confirmed that inquiries were ongoing into an attempted robbery.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident 3364 of February 24.
Information can also given anonymously calling Crimestoppers 0800 555 111. been seriously be by on
The family of a wellknown Angus publican, boxer and pigeon racer have paid tribute to the muchloved grandfather following his death.
Bill Hamilton, a former owner of the Cairnie pub in Arbroath, died of pneumonia earlier this month at the age of 87.
He was known for his ability as a boxer and pigeon trainer, as well as his work with gun clubs.
Gavin, one of Bill’s five children, described him as a “larger than life figure”.
He said: “Everyone knew who was.
“He was a character back bit of a in the day
– a boxer when he younger, then he was pigeons.
“His dad, my grandad, was captain of Arbroath FC in the 20s, and he was good friends with Johnny Dora who was well into the pigeons.
“That meant that my dad got into pigeons from a young age and got used to them. Everyone knew him for his birds.”
Bill became president of Tayside’s racing federation, winning several races across the Channel.
Despite his love of the sport, he eventually began to spend less time racing due to his old age.
He was also a big was into name in local shooting clubs, with his son claiming he even had a chance to take his skills to the Olympics.
Gavin said: “When he turned his hand to the shooting they were all amazed by his age and his eyes.
“He was so good for his age, his shooting was great.
“He was up there with the best, he even considered going to the Olympics but he wanted to give a younger guy a chance considering his age.
“He was always a hard but fair person, a spade was a spade with him.
“I think that he carried a lot of respect because of that.”
Bill was also a man who was dedicated to his hobbies, interests and careers, with his son saying: “When he got into something he got right into it.
“Whether it was boxing, pigeons, shooting – he always wanted to win and be the best he could.
“When he turned his hand to the shooting he wanted to be the best at that, he was just that kind of guy.”
The beloved sportsman, who died on February 13, is survived by his five children, 11 grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren.