These criminals were found guilty in October of crimes including murder, drug smuggling and speeding.
A 48-year-old man who carried out an ‘extremely vicious’ knife attack in Edinburgh was jailed for nine years. And, a ‘dangerous and controlling man’ who murdered his wife on New Year’s Day was jailed for life.
Two criminals were in the dock for attempting to smuggle drugs through Edinburgh Airport, while a former Hibs legend was found guilty of speeding on his motorcycle.
1. Knife attack
A 48-year-old man who carried out an ‘extremely vicious’ knife attack in Edinburgh was jailed for nine years last month. Patrick Moohan pleaded guilty to attempting to murder a man, also aged 48, in London Road on Monday, April, 14. He was sentenced to nine years in prison on the same day that he entered his guilty plea, on Thursday, October 30. Detective Sergeant Craig McMillan said: “This was an extremely vicious display of violence and the man suffered serious injuries. I hope this sentence sends a clear message that violence is completely unacceptable. Police Scotland are committed to bringing perpetrators to justice and we will continue to work closely with our partners to do so.” | Police Scotland
2. ‘Controlling’ domestic abuser who murdered wife
A ‘dangerous and controlling man’ who murdered his wife on New Year’s Day was jailed for life last month. Mompati Dodo Isaacs stabbed Keotshepile Naso Isaacs to death at the family home in North Berwick on January 1, 2024. The 39-year-old's crime was aggravated due to it involving the abuse of his partner. At the High Court in Edinburgh on October 31 Isaacs was given a life sentence and will serve a minimum of 21 years. The court heard how Isaacs had been abusive towards his 33-year-old wife known as Naso throughout the course of their marriage. His behaviour culminated in the domestic homicide, with Isaacs holding the mother-of-three down on a bed and stabbing her nine times. Instead of calling for medical assistance, Isaacs contacted various friends and family members with concerning messages, prompting them to alert the police. | Police Scotland
3. Supermarket queue attack
Gordon Laidlaw, pictured outside Edinburgh Sheriff Court, left his neighbour needing hospital treatment following an unprovoked supermarket attack. Gordon Laidlaw butted his victim to the head after the pair had exchanged words while they stood in line at the Scotmid store in Loanhead, Midlothian, in April last year. Police were alerted to the incident and after viewing CCTV footage the officers later arrested 50-year-old Laidlaw who had fled the scene. Edinburgh Sheriff Court was told Mr Johnstone was subsequently taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where he was treated for injuries to his eye. Laidlaw’s defence agent said her client and Mr Johnstone had been neighbours for around five years and “clearly don’t get along with each other”. Sheriff Frances Gill marked the assault by ordering Laidlaw, of Loanhead, to pay a total fine of £540. | Alexander Lawrie
4. Koi carp specialist who sexually abused three children
A Koi carp specialist who sexually abused three young girls while looking after them in their own home was jailed for two years last month. Dean Dimarco massaged and touched the breasts of the schoolgirls and made requests to look at their genitals after he had been asked to take care of them while their mother was at work. The pervert fish expert carried out the sex attacks on the children - who were aged between 12 and 16 years old at the time - at a home in Livingston, West Lothian, in the 1990s. Dimarco, now aged 67, denied the allegations claiming the victims, who are now adult women, had colluded and made up the claims. But he was found guilty by a jury of using lewd, indecent and libidinous practices towards the children between January 1991 and March 1993 following a trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in September. Dimarco, from Darlington, County Durham, is the owner and company director of the fish and pond health consultancy business called The Koi Clinic. The pensioner was back in the dock for sentencing on Friday, October 10, where Sheriff Douglas Keir described his offending as “deliberate and planned” and was “a gross breach of trust”. Dimarco was sentenced to a custodial term of two years and placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years. | Alexander Lawrie