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BBC News
12-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
WW1 soldier's remains found on French building site
The remains of a World War One soldier that were found during building work in France have been laid at Henry Ashton from Derbyshire was killed aged 44 in 1917, during an operation near Ministry of Defence (MoD) said following the war, Sjt Ashton's body was not recovered, and he was listed on the Memorial to the Missing at service on Wednesday in Loos-en-Gohelle, France, was attended by Sjt Ashton's family and was supported by Padre John Storey of 5th Bn The Rifles, and soldiers from 1st Bn The Rifles who flew in from Cyprus. His remains, the MoD said, were discovered during construction work for a new hospital in Lens, and DNA testing of metal ribbons led to formal Ashton initially served 12 and a half years with the Seaforth Highlanders before working for the Midland Railway re-joined the Army in March 1915, first with the Derbyshire Yeomanry before transferring to the 14th Battalion Durham Light Infantry in October his death in 1917, Captain Allden Owles sent a letter to his family which said that Sjt Ashton died "instantly" and served "bravely". The service was organised by the MoD's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the MoD War Ashton was the first named soldier to be buried and laid to rest at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Loos British Cemetery Extension, the Clark, MoD War Detective said: "It has been a privilege to identify Sjt Ashton, and to be able to organise this burial service for him."When you consider the half-a-million men still missing from the First and Second World Wars, every one we can identify feels like an achievement."I am delighted that Sjt Ashton's family have now been able to give him the dignified burial he had been denied for so long."
Scotsman
09-06-2025
- Scotsman
Former soldier who sexually assaulted Edinburgh woman while she slept is jailed
A former soldier who attempted to penetrate a woman with a syringe containing his semen while she slept has been jailed and placed on the sex offenders register. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Brad Albutt, 40, sexually assaulted the victim on three separate occasions - twice with the sharp implement - over a 12 month period at a property in Edinburgh. The ex-serviceman, who was a corporal with the 1st Battalion, The Rifles, was forced to confess about his depraved acts when the woman woke up to find him holding the syringe and a tub containing his semen. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Albutt pleaded guilty to the three sex attacks at a hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in December last year and sentencing has been delayed on several occasions to obtain a psychiatric report. He also admitted to charges of assaulting the woman by punching her to the body and breaching bail conditions, all between October 2022 and October 2023. Albutt returned to the dock for sentencing today, Monday, June 9, where Sheriff Kevin McCarron said there was no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence. Sheriff McCarron said: 'These offences spanned a period of one year and involved a significant violation of your victim. More worrying, these offences were planned by you. 'I am taking into account your background and it is also obvious you have served your country for a significant period of time and placed yourself at risk. To balance that, there must have been awful consequences for your victim of your actions.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Albutt was jailed for 20 months and placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years. He was also handed a non-harassment order banning him from contacting the victim for the next 10 years. Brad Albutt, 40, pictured outside Edinburgh Sheriff Court. | Alexander Lawrie Lawyer Paul Smith, defending, told the court Albutt, c/o the Scottish Veterans, Canongate, Edinburgh, was a South African national and had moved to the UK in 2000. Mr Smith said his client had joined the British Army in 2008 and had served two tours in Afghanistan before leaving in July last year. The court heard Albutt had been working recently with Lothian Buses and the criminal justice social work reports had deemed him a low risk of re-offending. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The court was previously told the first syringe attack took place as the woman slept at Albutt's former home in the capital in October 2022. Fiscal depute Ruaridh Allison said the woman had woken up to find she was being penetrated by an object. Mr Allison said: 'The accused was sitting on the sofa and she reached down and removed an object from her vagina and realised it was a syringe. She described it as being a very thin syringe unlike one she had seen before. 'She chose not to confront him at that time and gave the syringe back to him. Following this she lay down and pretended to go to sleep.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Allison said the woman was subsequently attacked by the squaddie with the syringe for a second time the following week. He said: 'She fell asleep on the couch while she understood the accused to be in the spare room. Around 11.30pm she woke up to find the accused beside her feet at the couch and noticed he was holding something in his hand. 'When she asked what he was holding he attempted to hide the object. She tried to grab the object and found it again to be a syringe and there was also a small tub sitting on the couch. 'When she asked, the accused then disclosed to her that both the syringe and the tub contained samples of his semen.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The court was told the woman reported the shocking attacks to the police and a forensic examination conducted later that night had found her DNA on the syringe. Mr Allison said Albutt had also sexually assaulted the woman as she slept by penetrating her with his fingers in October 2022.
Daily Record
09-06-2025
- Daily Record
Sick soldier who tried to penetrate woman with syringe containing his semen is jailed
Brad Albut sexually assaulted the victim on three separate occasions - twice with the sharp implement - over a 12 month period at a property in Edinburgh. A former soldier who attempted to penetrate a woman with a syringe containing his semen while she slept has been jailed and placed on the sex offenders register. Brad Albutt, 40, sexually assaulted the victim on three separate occasions - twice with the sharp implement - over a 12 month period at a property in Edinburgh. The ex-serviceman, who was a corporal with the 1st Battalion, The Rifles, was forced to confess about his depraved acts when the woman woke up to find him holding the syringe and a tub containing his semen. Albutt pleaded guilty to the three sex attacks at a hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in December last year and sentencing has been delayed on several occasions to obtain a psychiatric report. He also admitted to charges of assaulting the woman by punching her to the body and breaching bail conditions, all between October 2022 and October 2023. Albutt returned to the dock for sentencing on Monday where Sheriff Kevin McCarron said there was no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence. Sheriff McCarron said: 'These offences spanned a period of one year and involved a significant violation of your victim. More worrying, these offences were planned by you. 'I am taking into account your background and it is also obvious you have served your country for a significant period of time and placed yourself at risk. To balance that, there must have been awful consequences for your victim of your actions.' Albutt was jailed for 20 months and placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years. He was also handed a non-harassment order banning him from contacting the victim for the next 10 years. Lawyer Paul Smith, defending, told the court Albutt, c/o the Scottish Veterans, Canongate, Edinburgh, was a South African national and had moved to the UK in 2000. Mr Smith said his client had joined the British Army in 2008 and had served two tours in Afghanistan before leaving in July last year. The court heard Albutt had been working recently with Lothian Buses and the criminal justice social work reports had been deemed him a low risk of re-offending. The court was previously told the first syringe attack took place as the woman slept at Albutt's former home in the capital in October 2022. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Fiscal depute Ruaridh Allison said the woman had woken up to find she was being penetrated by an object. Mr Allison said: 'The accused was sitting on the sofa and she reached down and removed an object from her vagina and realised it was a syringe. She described it as being a very thin syringe unlike one she had seen before. 'She chose not to confront him at that time and gave the syringe back to him. Following this she lay down and pretended to go to sleep.' Mr Allison said the woman was subsequently attacked by the squaddie with the syringe for a second time the following week. He said: 'She fell asleep on the couch while she understood the accused to be in the spare room. Around 11.30pm she woke up to find the accused beside her feet at the couch and noticed he was holding something in his hand. 'When she asked what he was holding he attempted to hide the object. She tried to grab the object and found it again to be a syringe and there was also a small tub sitting on the couch. When she asked, the accused then disclosed to her that both the syringe and the tub contained samples of his semen.' The court was told the woman reported the shocking attacks to the police and a forensic examination conducted later that night had found her DNA on the syringe. Mr Allison said Albutt had also sexually assaulted the woman as she slept by penetrating her with his fingers in October 2022.
Edinburgh Live
09-06-2025
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh woman woke to find soldier about to carry out vile and depraved act
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A former Edinburgh soldier who attempted to penetrate a woman with a syringe containing his semen while she slept has been jailed and placed on the sex offenders register. Brad Albutt, 40, sexually assaulted the victim on three separate occasions - twice with the sharp implement - over a 12 month period at a property in Edinburgh. The ex-serviceman, who was a corporal with the 1st Battalion, The Rifles, was forced to confess about his depraved acts when the woman woke up to find him holding the syringe and a tub containing his semen. Albutt pleaded guilty to the three sex attacks at a hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in December last year and sentencing has been delayed on several occasions to obtain a psychiatric report. He also admitted to charges of assaulting the woman by punching her to the body and breaching bail conditions, all between October 2022 and October 2023. Albutt returned to the dock for sentencing on Monday where Sheriff Kevin McCarron said there was no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence. Sheriff McCarron said: "These offences spanned a period of one year and involved a significant violation of your victim. "More worrying, these offences were planned by you. I am taking into account your background and it is also obvious you have served your country for a significant period of time and placed yourself at risk. "To balance that, there must have been awful consequences for your victim of your actions." Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox Albutt was jailed for 20 months and placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years. He was also handed a non-harassment order banning him from contacting the victim for the next 10 years. Lawyer Paul Smith, defending, told the court Albutt, c/o the Scottish Veterans, Canongate, Edinburgh, was a South African national and had moved to the UK in 2000. Mr Smith said his client had joined the British Army in 2008 and had served two tours in Afghanistan before leaving in July last year. The court heard Albutt had been working recently with Lothian Buses and the criminal justice social work reports had been deemed him a low risk of re-offending. The court was previously told the first syringe attack took place as the woman slept at Albutt's former home in the capital in October 2022. Fiscal depute Ruaridh Allison said the woman had woken up to find she was being penetrated by an object. Mr Allison said: "The accused was sitting on the sofa and she reached down and removed an object from her vagina and realised it was a syringe. "She described it as being a very thin syringe unlike one she had seen before. She chose not to confront him at that time and gave the syringe back to him. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. "Following this she lay down and pretended to go to sleep." Mr Allison said the woman was subsequently attacked by the squaddie with the syringe for a second time the following week. He said: "She fell asleep on the couch while she understood the accused to be in the spare room. "Around 11.30pm she woke up to find the accused beside her feet at the couch and noticed he was holding something in his hand. When she asked what he was holding he attempted to hide the object. "She tried to grab the object and found it again to be a syringe and there was also a small tub sitting on the couch. When she asked, the accused then disclosed to her that both the syringe and the tub contained samples of his semen." The court was told the woman reported the shocking attacks to the police and a forensic examination conducted later that night had found her DNA on the syringe. Mr Allison said Albutt had also sexually assaulted the woman as she slept by penetrating her with his fingers in October 2022.
Scottish Sun
07-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
My baby boy was born under hail of Putin's shells in war-torn Ukraine
They are considering a change after their son's birth CHILD OF WAR My baby boy was born under hail of Putin's shells in war-torn Ukraine Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A SCOTS soldier who found love in Ukraine has revealed his wife gave birth to their firstborn son under a hail of Russian missiles. Daile McGhie, 23, signed up to defend the war-torn country before meeting Zhenya, 21, and the pair got married last year. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Daile McGhie with his newborn son Alexander Credit: Supplied 7 Daile McGhie met Zhenya on dating app Tinder Credit: Supplied 7 Their baby boy was born under threat from Russian ballistic missiles Credit: Supplied 7 Baby Alexander was born in Kyiv Credit: Supplied But after welcoming baby Alexander in the capital Kyiv, they are considering moving away for their child's sake. Daile, originally from Kilmarnock, said: 'I'm very split on what to do right now. I'd prefer to have my family in a place I know is safe.' He explained how the tot was brought into the world while the city was being bombarded by Putin's forces. The ex-British Army squaddie said: 'When Alexander was born, we were under an air raid with ballistic missiles and kamikaze drones. There were explosions nearby. 'It's difficult knowing our son is growing up in a country that is being heavily assaulted and destroyed. 'I only care about my wife and my son's safety. 'My life was only military before I met Zhenya, and Alex being born. It was a sign of hope for me — a sign that I had something to keep fighting for.' After three years with The Rifles regiment, Daile joined the International Legion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine when Russian forces invaded in March 2022. We told how he matched with Zhenya on dating app Tinder while he was on the frontline. They now live in the Ukrainian capital and had Alexander on May 5. New footage of Op Spiderweb shows drone blitzing Putin's burning aircraft Veterinary student Zhenya said she feared for their lives during the attack as she gave birth, adding: 'Having a child in that situation was scary. 'During every air raid I was holding Alex and covering him. My priority is his safety. 'When explosions get closer, I close his ears. Kids don't deserve to live in this. Hopefully this war will end soon. 7 Daile and Zhenya got married last year Credit: Supplied 7 The pair are considering leaving the city for the safety of their son Credit: Supplied 7 The loved-up couple welcomed baby Alexander into the world Credit: Supplied 'I really want to stay in Ukraine and be with my parents. I want them to watch Alex grow up.' Daile plans to keep fighting, while his wife is hoping carry on her studies and gain a vet diploma. They are researching visa options as friends raise funds to help them move. Daile said: 'My main fear is that something will happen to Zhenya and Alex, or to me while I'm away. But I want to defend what I love.'
