Spate of robberies at newsagents.

Saturday 2 March 2013

Two McColl’s newsagent shops on Glasgow’s Southsider were robbed within hours of each other this weekend. And a similar incident occured in Symington, Ayrshire, too.

The first robbery was at 29 Eaglesham Road, Clarkston on Friday 1 March around 9.30 pm when two men entered the store. One carried a firearm and demanded money from the 18-year-old male shop assistant. They got away with a small sum of money and a quantity of cigarettes. The firearm was not discharged but the shop worker suffered a minor injury to his head and was treated at the Victoria Infirmary. The robber with the firearm is white, late 20s, wearing a dark ‘Fred Perry’ waterproof jacket with a logo on the left breast area, a white hoody underneath, a balaclava and blue jeans. The second robber is white, late 20s, wearing a dark hoody, jeans and white ‘Nike Air Max’ trainers.

Detectives from Pollok CID are checking all available CCTV from the area and appeal for more information. Said Detective Sergeant Mark McLennan: ‘This was undoubtedly a terrifying experience for the young man who was working in the newsagents. Thankfully, he was not seriously injured but he has been left very shaken as a result. The newsagents is situated on a very busy road, and there are several takeaways and off-licences nearby. On a Friday night, this would have been more busy than usual so I appeal to anyone who was in the vicinity of this part of Eaglesham Road to get in touch with police. We need people to come forward with any information they may have.’

Anyone who saw men fitting the descriptions or acting suspiciously in the area, is asked to contact Pollok CID on 0141 532 5600.  Said DS McLennan: ‘We know they left on foot. However it is possible they had a vehicle, so I’d ask anyone who may have seen a vehicle parked nearby that may have been driven erratically or at speed, to get in touch.’

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be passed in confidence.

The second incident happened at RS McColl’s newsagent on Carmunnock Road, Cathcart around 7am on Saturday 2 March. Two women aged 50 and 52 had just opened up the store when a man entered and threatened them with violence and a weapon. He demanded money and keys to the safe. He stole a four figure sum and keys to a white Volkswagen Polo which was parked outside. He then stole the car which was later found burnt out nearby in Linn Park. The women were uninjured but very shaken.

The man is described as around 5ft 10 inches, slim build, with a thin/gaunt unkempt appearance and ‘yellowing’ teeth. He was wearing a black jacket, with a blue hoody underneath and dirty blue jeans with dark shoes.

Detective Constable Stephen McGrath of Aikenhead Road CID said: ‘This was a brazen act by this man who went into the shop, literally, as it opened for the day. I’d like to reassure the public that we’re making extensive enquiries into the incident. A man apparently entered the shop just prior to the suspect entering but left as the incident occurred. We would urge this man to contact us as he may have information that could help.

‘We’re carrying out door to door enquiries and speaking to shop owners nearby. I’d like to speak to anyone who may have seen a white Volkswagen Polo being driven at speed just after the incident taking place, and anyone who saw it around Linn Park, which is a short drive away, before being set alight. I know the area is busy with dog walkers and on a Saturday morning this would have been no different with people coming and going to buy their morning papers.’

Anyone with information is asked to contact Aikenhead Road CID on 0141 532 4900 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be passed confidentially.

Earlier on Saturday morning – around 6.20am – an attempted robbery took place at a newsagents in Symington, Ayrshire. A 77 year old man was working on his own within TD Kirkland newsagents when a man with a bladed weapon entered the store and demanded money. This was refused by the shop owner and the man left, empty-handed.

The suspect is described as around 5ft 10 inches in height, of slim build wearing black clothes, a black balaclava and black gloves. Detective Inspector Stevie Wallace said: ‘The shop owner had just opened up his shop when the suspect entered, demanding money. Although the suspect had a weapon, the shop owner was uninjured.

‘Symington is a quiet village, and the area in which the attempted robbery took place is quite remote. We will be carrying out door to door enquiries. But I’d like to speak to anyone who may have been heading to the shop to get their daily paper or their breakfast rolls and ask them to get in touch. They may have information which could assist with our enquiries.’

The number to call is Ayr CID on 01292 664000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be passed confidentially.

 

 

Eden Springs replies

Following a request to the bottled water supply company Eden Springs for a comment on our story that  the University of Glasgow was not renewing their £200,000 contract, the company has sent a statement:

‘Eden Springs UK is aware of the campaign and is taking steps to address inaccuracies contained within it.

‘We have a well established customer network across Scotland and the UK, supplying spring and mineral water directly to consumers in their homes and offices, using water coolers and bottles.

‘Water supplied by Eden Springs in the United Kingdom is sourced, bottled and distributed entirely in the UK.  The Scottish water supply is sourced inAyrshire.

‘The long running campaign against Eden Springs’ Scottish operation by the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign has been discredited on many occasions, including the official dismissal by MSPs of a petition to the Scottish Parliament due to the campaign’s flawed and inaccurate assertions.  Across all the countries we operate in, the company strictly complies with all laws and legislation as required by national and local government.’

 

Women’s football kicks off for the season

‘We are back in business – the 2012 season has begun,’ says Laura Montgomery reporting on the Glasgow Premier League of women’s football.

Glasgow City got the new 2012 season off with a bang with a resounding 10-0 victory over Kilmarnock in Ayrshire in the first round of the Premier League Cup.

With a number of players out with a virus and nine City players involved in recent international action, Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black had fewer than usual to choose from. As always, the players who did take to the field, did not let City down.

Killie nearly pulled off an instant shock when City’s Lee Alexander was forced to pull off a good save at the feet of the Killie striker to keep her side level after five minutes. That was Killie’s only real chance of the match. City went on to dominate play and possession for the rest of the game.

New signing, Julie Melrose got her own City account off to a great start with a goal on 14 minutes reacting first to a saved Leanne Ross shot, to fire into the back of the net.

Minutes later, City doubled their account when the busy Jo Love scored from a Jane Ross cross. Love then doubled her tally scoring her side’s third goal on 24 minutes after she was put through by Leanne Ross.

On the half hour mark, Jane Ross got her tally underway and three minutes before half time, full back Ciara Barnes linked brilliantly with Jo Love to score a fine team goal. A minute before the break and Melrose found the back of the net again, this time converting a Jane Ross cross from the by-line. The half time score was 0-6

In the second half, City kept the pressure on the home side. Shortly after the whistle got the game underway again, Jane Ross scored a great strike from outside the box. The Scotland and City striker was soon on target again, this time making space for herself inside the box before shooting past the helpless Killie keeper.

Substitute Eilish McSorley scored with a good header from a City corner on 75 minutes and with ten minutes remaining, Leanne Ross tucked another one away to make it 10-0 to the Scottish Champions.

Head Coach Eddie Wolecki Black said, ‘I am delighted we are through to the next round which is always the main objective. We were on a really heavy pitch today, so I was pleased with how well we moved the ball around. And we scored some really good goals. The fact that we were down to 12 fit players out of our squad of 20 perhaps says it all. But it shows the strength and quality of our squad that the girls who played today, did a really good job. Credit must go to Kilmarnock who never gave up. I felt they worked their socks off for 90 minutes and never made it easy for us.’

 

Full results round up:

First Round Scottish Premier League Cup:

Kilmarnock 0 v 10 Glasgow City: City – Jane Ross (3), Julie Melrose (2), Jo Love (2), Ciara Barnes (1), Leanne Ross (1), Eilish McSorley (1)

Celtic 1 v 0 Hibernian: Celtic – Heather Richards (1).

Rangers 8 v 1 Falkirk: Rangers – Jen Callaghan (4), Alana Marshall (1), Cheryl Gallacher (1), Kirsty McLaughlin (1). Falkirk – Sarah Quilitti (OG), Sinead Goi McLean (1).

Hutchison Vale 1 v 3 Aberdeen: Hutchie – Laura Dunn (1). Aberdeen (tbc)

 

For more details see:

www.glasgowcityladiesfc.co.uk

Twitter: @GlasgowCityFC

Facebook: Glasgowcity Fc

Club enjoys Burns’ lunch

The House for an Art Lover’s music room was full when Glasgow South Business Club President, Remo Pisaneschi welcomed members and guests to their annual Burns lunch on Tuesday 24 January.

Govan High School music students entertained the crowd as people assembled and their Heidie, Iain White, piped in the haggis. Club member, journalist Grace Franklin, gave her usual flamboyant performance of Burns’ Address to the Haggis. The toast to the Immortal Memory of the Bard was given in humorous fashion by Alan Murray who is modest about his knowledge of the poet. In the course of his illuminating and witty speech, he sang one of Burns’ songs and recited verses from several poems. An effective tour de force that was as entertaining as it was enlightening. Alan is a Govanite by birth and early education. He currently runs a new styled, multi uses, community centre in Maybole, Ayrshire.

Honorary Life Member, Frank Bendoris, thanked all the contributors. The Club, which meets monthly, has important guests signed up for future meetings, including Brian Souter and First Minister Alex Salmond. Full information from the Club’s website: www.glasgowsouthbusiness club.co.uk