Search for owner as cat rescued
A CAT was saved from a van’s engine after a dramatic six-hour rescue bid in Lanarkshire.
Three mechanics and a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crew were called in a bid to free the adorable feline from the vehicle in Cumbernauld last Tuesday.
A concerned member of the public alerted the Scottish SPCA after the discovery, and now the animal charity is trying to trace the cat’s owner.
Rescue officer Sarah Parker said: “We’re grateful to everyone who assisted as it was a real team effort.
“His name is Thomas and is registered to an address in Abronhill, Cumbernauld, however his chip details are out of date.”
ATEENAGE boy has been found guilty of murder after he kicked a 61-year-old man to death.
Glasgow High Court heard how the teenage boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, stamped on his victim’s face so savagely his spine was severed from his head.
Officers were called to Riverton Drive around 8.40pm on Saturday, January 19, last year, following a report of a body of a man being found. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
It was heard how the 17-yearold had initially tried to help Mr Frank Sinclair as he found him lying on the ground at the rear of Westwood Community Centre, Riverton Drive, East Kilbride, at around 8pm.
After attempts to rouse him failed, the youth launched an unprovoked attack resulting in serious injuries that led to Mr Sinclair’s death.
The boy believed that Mr Sinclair had pushed him, causing him to scrape his face off the community centre wall.
The 17-year-old admitted to killing Mr Sinclair but denied murder. A jury found him guilty after deliberating for two hours.
Family and friends of Mr Sinclair clapped and shouted “yes” as several jurors were brought to tears.
The teenage murderer showed no empathy for his victim, instead he said: “I’ve still not got over it. I just feel destroyed.”
He was asked by prosecutor Liam Ewing QC: “Do you remember evidence that you were shouting noises as you stamped on Mr Sinclair?”
He replied: “Yes, I was just shouting, getting all my anger out.”
Mr Ewing then said: “What was your intention as Mr Sinclair lay on the ground,” and he replied: “To hurt him.”
The teen added: “I just lost my temper. I just lost it.”
When asked why he stamped on Mr Sinclair’s head, the boy said: “It was the first bit of his body that was there.”
The prosecutor then stated: “You didn’t care if he lived or died,” and the teenager replied: “I didn’t know what I did to him would kill him.”
Mr Sinclair had 19 injuries to his face and neck including a fractured Adam’s apple and a vertebrae at the top of his spine was severed causing internal decapitation.
The boy was also found guilty of an unprovoked attack on 18-year-old Jay Mungall by punching him on the head and body at Westwood Stores, Leeward Circle, East Kilbride, about an hour before the murder.
Detective Inspector Alan MacDonald of Lanarkshire CID said: “This was a sustained and violent attack on a vulnerable individual who, on the night in question, needed the help of someone kind.
“Instead he died in the most brutal way, in an attack that has no justification. The accused has shown no remorse and offered no explanation for this senseless violence.
“I would like to thank responding officers and the investigative team for all their hard work on this case to get justice for Frank. Our thoughts remain with his family and my hope is the conviction today will bring some closure.”
He will be month at the Edinburgh. sentenced next High Court in