Sean O'Neil

EXCLUSIVE: Stagecoach to bring back axed 16 service for Perthshire in campaign win The bus company will reinstate the the route in the Carse of Gowrie after removing it last year in favour of the 39.

Today The Courier revealed the 16 bus service axed by Stagecoach last year will return to Perthshire after a welcome u-turn by the bus company following our and residents campaign

Proof that change can happen and companies can be forced to listen.

www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/pert...

Tayside killers among 63 criminals released on parole in Scotland this year Angus killer Tasmin Glass and a murderer imprisoned at Castle Huntly among dozens freed.

63 violent criminals released on parole in Scotland in 2024 - that we know of. The lack of transparency in the system means that number is actually far greater - and we rarely know who they are.

Legislative changes are needed to allow more public understanding.

www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/angu...

£128k director role at Perth and Kinross Council axed in series of undocumented 'verbal discussions' The local authority claims to hold no communication or meeting records as top director leaves role after six months.

This case is being taken to the Scottish Information Commissioner.

Perth and Kinross Council claim a £128k-a-year director resigned after six months and the newly created position then scrapped without a single recorded communication or meeting.
www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/pert...

Parole concerns of Fife rape survivor will 'be taken seriously', says Justice Secretary Angela Constance MSP says she is open to improving the experience of survivors like Hannah McLaughlan and Ellie Wilson who have called for reforms to the system.

Justice Secretary says demands for parole reform will be taking seriously as rape survivors speak out about how current system treats those affected by violent crime.

www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/fife...

Fife survivor of Angus rapist Logan Doig fights for parole reform as friend's attacker goes before panel Hannah McLaughlan and Ellie Wilson want changes to the parole system, which they say adds to the trauma of survivors.

Two extremely brave young women who have been through the trauma of the court system now calling for parole reform.

The Courier has been campaigning for a system change through our A Voice for Victims campaign. The time is now to act.

www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/fife...

Been in Rio for the last few days. There's a lot to be said for sitting on a big rock, with a few beers, watching the sunset.

More council tax would be fine if it meant more services and facilities, and people's wages rose in line with such increases - but it's always less services for worse off people while councils plan more houses to collect even more council tax, creating more demand on the lessened services.

Three disturbing takeaways from this poll.

1 - 12% of people don't consider Home Alone 2 a Christmas film

2 - 10% of people have never heard of Die Hard.

3 - The Long Kiss Goodnight isn't even on the list.

I dunno what I've done but this algorithm is convinced my top three interest are:

The NFL
The Uruguay election
A debate on audiobooks being books.

The NFL one has really hurt.

Difficult to describe what a dangerous moment we are in.

The owner of Twitter/richest man in the world/closest adviser to the next US president is promoting a far-right Tommy Robinson (!) documentary to his 200 million followers.

This is the mainstreaming of violent, Islamophobic fascism.

Relief as Dundee rapist Sean McGowan denied parole The predator left his victim with life-changing injuries following the "prolonged and horrific" attack.

Violent rapist denied parole - eventually. His victim was first notified he would be considered last December, his case was then deferred in May and now finally a verdict.

So nearly a year of worry for his victim and he's only served half his sentence.

www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/dund...

Perth killer Robbie Smullen granted temporary release from prison The family of victim Barry Dixon has been sent a letter outlining the killer's licensing conditions by the Scottish Prison Service.

Robbie Smullen. Denied parole by the Scottish Parole Board last month but granted temporary release by the Scottish Prison Service this month.

It makes no sense to his victim's family.

www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/pert...

This is absolutely the sort of stuff you'll be getting from me on this platform alongside intermittent and confused takes on popular culture and football.