Scotsman Arrested In Thailand For Murder In Scotland

[sriracha john]

Murder accused held in Thailand

A man has been arrested in Thailand in connection with the murder of an Edinburgh mother.

Scott Storey, from Edinburgh, is to be held on remand while authorities in Thailand decide on a request for extradition.

Bridget Cameron was attacked in Leith in 2004. She died later in hospital.

Storey was due to stand trial at the High Court in Edinburgh on 29 March 2005, but he failed to appear. A warrant was granted for his arrest.

- BBC

[sriracha john]

Killing of mother: man held in Thailand

THAI police have arrested a man who went on the run two years ago after being accused of the murder of an Edinburgh mother of four.

Scott Storey, 40, now faces extradition to the UK to face trial for the 2004 killing of Bridget Cameron, 35.

- The Scotsman

[sriracha john]

Historical articles from The Scotsman:

27-Apr-04

Man on murder charge

A MAN has appeared in court charged with the murder of a city mother-of-four at the weekend.

Scott Storey, 39, of Pirniefield Bank, Edinburgh, appeared in private at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday following the death of 35-year-old Bridget Cameron in the Pirniefield Bank area of the Capital shortly before 11pm on Saturday.

Ms Cameron was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary but died a short time later.

Storey, who was remanded in custody, made no plea or declaration and the case was continued for further inquiry.

=========================================

26-Apr-04

Murder of mum: man, 39, in court

A 39-YEAR-OLD man was due to appear in court today charged with the murder of an Edinburgh mother-of-four at her home.

Scot Storey was arrested following the death of Bridget Cameron, 35, at the address in Pirniefield Bank, near Leith Links.

Police officers were called following an alleged incident at the terraced house at 10.45pm on Saturday night.

Paramedics rushed Ms Cameron to hospital, but she later died as a result of her injuries.

The mother-of-four was a devoted full-time carer for her seven-year-old daughter Darcy, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. Yesterday, forensic officers conducted a fingertip search of the house and the back garden which borders Seafield Cemetery. Uniformed and plain-clothes officers also carried out door-to-door inquiries in the area.

A police spokesman said: "A 39-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident and will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today."

Neighbours have spoken of their shock at the death of a woman who they said had "a heart of gold".

Her next-door neighbour described seeing Ms Cameron taken from her house on a stretcher as paramedics fought to save her life.

He said: "We looked out the window and saw the police cars and an ambulance arrive. We didn’t know what was going on. Then my wife and I saw Bridget being taken out on a stretcher. They were trying to resuscitate her.

"Later the police forensic team had to come through my house to get to her back garden. I don’t think they wanted to go through her front door.

"She was a superb woman, with a heart of gold. She should be out playing with her kids today, not this."

Another neighbour, David Conroy, 42, a plasterer, said: "Bridget was a nice person, very pretty. It’s unbelievable that this could happen."

A 30-year-old neighbour said: "I didn’t hear anything last night, but my wee boy woke up at about 4am and when I looked out of the window I saw the police tape.

"I was just about to phone Bridget to ask her if she knew what had happened, but I stopped myself because I just had a bad feeling about it.

"She was a brilliant mum and she was devoted to her kids."

Ms Cameron had just celebrated her 35th birthday last Monday and had been planning to buy the two-bedroomed house where she had lived for the last three years.

She had four children, Christopher, 17, Stephen, 15, Sarah, 12, and seven year-old Darcy and they also stayed at the home.

Darcy was born ten weeks premature and had to undergo major heart surgery when she was only two weeks old.

She needs physiotherapy every day at school and has to go to hospital every few weeks for check-ups and asthma treatment.

She recently had painful Botox injections to loosen the muscles in her legs.

The treatment left her immobile because she had to wear casts for six weeks.

A 79-year-old resident who has lived in the street with his wife for 49 years was shocked by news of the incident.

"We never have any break-ins or vandalism here," he said. "It’s a very quiet street and one of the nicest schemes in Edinburgh.

"There used to be waiting lists of eight to ten years to move in here. It’s an absolute tragedy."

=========================================

26-Apr-04

Investigation after mother of four is found dying

AN INVESTIGATION was launched after a mother of four was found dying in her home.

Bridget Cameron, 35, was found unconscious but breathing by officers who were called to Pirniefield Bank, Leith, on Saturday night. She was taken by ambulance to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, but died a short time later.

A man aged 39 had been arrested yesterday in connection with the incident and was due to appear in Edinburgh Sheriff Court today. Officers had sealed off the house and surrounding areas yesterday, including a section of nearby graveyard.

Neighbours paid tribute to Ms Cameron, describing her as a wonderful and friendly person.

A friend, June Glover, 43, said: "She was an excellent neighbour and would do anything to help anyone."

Another neighbour, David McInroy, 56, said: "It’s a horrible shock. You don’t expect this kind of thing to happen on your doorstep."

[taxexile]

excellent news.

full marks to the police both here and in scotland for tracking him down.

[sriracha john]

Thai arrest of man linked to the murder of Capital mum

A MAN has been arrested in Thailand in connection with the murder of an Edinburgh mother.

Scott Storey, 41, has been on the run for nearly two years following an attack on mum-of-four Bridget Cameron, 35, in her home.

He now faces being extradited to the UK to stand trial in the Capital.

The last time Storey was due to appear at the High Court in March 2005 he failed to show. He had been granted bail by the sheriff court in May 2004.

After more than a month of searching for him, police discovered he had gone to Thailand. He was reportedly seen at a holiday resort in the south Asian country popular with travellers.

Since then, Scottish police have been working with the Thai authorities to try to track him down and bring him back to the UK.

But for the past 18 months Storey, who also faced charges of conspiring to pervert the course of justice, theft and breach of the peace before his disappearance, has proved elusive.

A statement issued last night by Lothian and Borders police said: "Scott Storey, wanted on warrant for the murder of Bridget Cameron, has been arrested in Thailand.

"In May 2005, the Crown Office working with colleagues in the Justice Department, issued a request for the provisional arrest of Mr Storey as a prelude to the submission of a formal extradition request to the Thai authorities.

"He will be held on remand in Thailand while the authorities there determine the extradition request."

Bridget Cameron suffered fatal injuries in an alleged incident at an address in Leith. She died in hospital.

She was a devoted full-time carer for her young daughter Darcy, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair.

- Edinburgh Evening News

[sriracha john]

UPDATE... he's still in Thailand

Death suspect in Thai court

A man arrested in Thailand in connection with the murder of an Edinburgh mother-of-four has appeared in court for an extradition hearing.

Scott Storey, 41, has been missing for nearly two years following an attack on Bridget Cameron, 35, in her Leith home.

He was detained by Thai police in February and is currently in prison while the extradition process continues.

A spokeswoman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said Storey had appeared in court on September 24 for a hearing.

It is not known how long his extradition is likely to take.

Storey had been due to appear at the High Court in March 2005 but failed to show. He had been granted bail by the sheriff court in May 2004.

- The Scotsman

[Scott]

Does anyone know how long he was in Thailand and where exactly he was staying and what he was doing?

[sriracha john]

He failed to show for a May 2004 hearing in Scotland and was apprehended in Thailand in February 2007.

Beyond that time-line, it's unclear exactly where in Thailand he was or what he was doing.

Unfortunately, no on-line photos of him have been available which might help for people to recognize him and perhaps elaborate on these questions.

Edited October 14, 2007 by sriracha john

[jackspratt]

Hopefully something to think about for those who say how bad and unique Thailand is for giving bail to accused murderers.

It ain't alone - they even do it in 1st world countries.

[AGareth2]

Maybe if more wanted criminals from the Uk were arrested in Thailand some of the areas of Thailand might be pleasanter.

The UK police should send pics to TV so we can shop them.

[lazeeboy]

Maybe if more wanted criminals from the Uk were arrested in Thailand some of the areas of Thailand might be pleasanter.

The UK police should send pics to TV so we can shop them.

wheres bertie smalls when you need him .

[taxexile]

theyre still looking for ginger marks !

[Tony Clifton]

Why is the Thai police holding him for over 8 months?

[JacknDanny]

Why is the Thai police holding him for over 8 months?

They were waiting on him paying the 20 baht for his cup of coffee

[ZukiSuzuki]

Why is the Thai police holding him for over 8 months?

The Scottish authorities had to prepare and present the extradition request, the Thai authorites have to consider the extradition request, a slow court system which makes getting a court date in less than 1 year difficult never mind 8 months.

[TAWP]

They are more than happy to extradite some people fast when they want to...but as this isn't a highly publicised case it has to go throw the papermill the usual slow way.

[jackspratt]

They are more than happy to extradite some people fast when they want to...but as this isn't a highly publicised case it has to go throw the papermill the usual slow way.

Or just hand them over to the world's leading democracy for rendition - why wait for the paperwork when you have a torturer anxious to get to work

[gburns57au]

Bashes a woman to death and gets bail !!!!!

And some of you talk about the Thai justice system !!

[sriracha john]

UPDATE...he's FINALLY been extradited from Thailand... the first Scot ever...

Suspect extradited to face trial for murder

A man accused of murdering his partner in the Capital has been extradited from Thailand three years after his murder trial was set to start.

Scott Storey is understood to have become the first Scot to be extradited from Thailand following his arrival back in Edinburgh on Friday.

The 42-year-old is now in Saughton Prison following the end of lengthy legal and diplomatic proceedings.

He is accused of murdering his former partner, mother-of-four Bridget Cameron, 35, in April 2004. Storey, who had a roofing business in the city, was due to go on trial in March 2005, but he failed to turn up.

The victim's father Alex, 60, and the rest of her family were informed by police that they had reliable information that Storey was in Thailand, but without a formal extradition treaty with Thailand, the process to return Storey to Scotland would be prolonged.

The Cameron family received reports that Storey, whose address had been given in court as Pirniefield Bank, Edinburgh, was living in the Soi Pattayaland 2 resort in Thailand.

He was arrested by Thai police and spent the last year in jail while his extradition was resolved.

Two years ago, Mr Cameron sought the help of his MSP, Kenny MacAskill in trying to bring the matter to a successful conclusion. The case underlined what was then a growing controversy over bail, largely created by the adoption of the European Convention on Human Rights into Scots' law. Prior to this move, it was exceptional for those accused or murder of rape to receive bail.

Following news of the extradition, Mr Cameron, a property developer, said:"The family are hopeful that the forthcoming proceedings will finally bring about closure.

"It has been very hard on me and my ex-wife Patsy, but even worse for Bridget's four children, who were all devastated by her death."

Storey also faces other charges, including conspiring to pervert the course of justice, theft and breach of the peace.

It is understood the trial will begin in the autumn.

Ms Cameron suffered fatal injuries in an alleged incident at an address in Leith. She died in hospital.

She was a devoted full-time carer for her young daughter Darcy, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair.

Prior to her death, Ms Cameron had just celebrated her 35th birthday and had been planning to buy the two-bedroom house where she had lived for the last three years.

She had four children – Christopher, Stephen, Sarah and Darcy. They also stayed at the home.

- Edinburgh Evening News / 21 April 2008

[sriracha john]

Does anyone know how long he was in Thailand and where exactly he was staying and what he was doing?

Discovered an older article that sheds some light on his activities whilst in Thailand...

Daily Record / June 17, 2006

EXCLUSIVE: MURDER RAP SCOT IS LIVING IT UP IN THAILAND

A man accused of killing a Scots mum-of-four is living it up in bars at a Thai resort. Scott Storey went on the run while awaiting trial for the murder of Bridget Cameron.

Yesterday, Bridget's dad Alex spoke of his horror at hearing of Storey's boozy lifestyle. He said: "It is sickening to think of him bumming around a beach and boozing while my family go through a never-ending hel_l."

Bridget, 35, of Edinburgh, died in April 2004. Storey, 40, was due to stand trial in March last year but fled after he was released on bail. Within days, Lothian and Borders Police knew he was in Thailand.

Yesterday Alex, 59, said: "We are angry because in the past few months, we've been told by friends who have been to the Soi Pattayaland 2 resort in Thailand that they have seen him in bars.

"We know where he is, the police know - why isn't he being dragged home to face the charges?" A police source revealed they know which pubs Storey drinks in. But he added: "We can't go and get him until Thai police arrest him."

SNP justice spokesman Kenny MacAskill, list MSP for North Edinburgh, is to meet Alex. He said: "Some fault might lie in the diplomatic pipeline, so we will try to unblock that."

A Crown Office spokesman added: "Steps are being taken to ensure the extradition of Mr Storey through appropriate channels."

Bridget's oldest child, Stephen, 19, now lives in his own flat. Alex cares for grand-daughter Sarah, 15, while his ex-wife Patsy looks after Christopher, 17, and nine-year-old Darcy, who has cerebral palsy.

Since his daughter's murder, Alex's window and conservatory manufacturing business at Newcraighall, Edinburgh, collapsed. He admits he "hit the bottle" and was unable to cope. He added: "We are being torn apart emotionally. The children were devastated by Bridget's death and have been denied the chance of healing because they have no closure."

[taxexile]

"Some fault might lie in the diplomatic pipeline, so we will try to unblock that."

translation , "the british embassy cannae be arsed."

[sriracha john]

UPDATE... his trial begins

Man extradited from Thailand over 2004 murder

A man murdered his partner and fled to Thailand before he was due to go on trial for the killing, a court heard today.

Scott Storey absconded after stabbing mother-of-four Bridget Cameron, 35, in the neck on April 24 2004 at the house they shared in Edinburgh.

The 43-year-old was initially remanded in custody, but he was later freed when an appeal against the refusal of bail was granted by the High Court.

Storey, who was a partner in an Edinburgh roofing business, had been due to face trial in March 2005, but a warrant was issued for his arrest when he failed to turn up.

Police traced him to Thailand, where he remained until lengthy legal and diplomatic proceedings saw him returned to Scotland in April this year. He is understood to be the first Scot ever to be extradited from Thailand.

At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Storey admitted murder and failing to appear in court.

He had previously claimed Ms Cameron, with whom he had an on/off relationship for around 12 years, inflicted the stab wound herself.

Several of the victim's relatives broke down in court as details of the crime were read out. The court heard today that Storey and Ms Cameron went for drinks at a pub in Edinburgh's Leith area on the Saturday of the attack, before returning to their home in Pirniefield Bank.

Later that evening, two girls playing nearby heard screams and cries of "help" coming from the victim's back garden, the court was told. Another neighbour heard a woman's voice shouting, "You b******" at around 10pm that night.

Advocate-depute Alastair Carmichael, prosecuting, said Storey later dialled 999 and claimed the victim had stabbed herself. The lawyer added: "He further referred to the scene in the house as 'madness', with blood everywhere and stated that he had attempted to wipe it up. At this point, the accused terminated the call. The accused made a further 999 call about five minutes later when he stated, 'She's stabbed herself in the back of the neck' and also, 'I hope she's not dead'."

Ambulance workers found Ms Cameron in the house, covered in blood and wearing only her underwear and a dressing gown. She had a "gaping wound" on the right side of her neck and there was no sign of a pulse. She was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, where medics tried to revive her. Ms Cameron was given drugs to stimulate her heart and six units of blood – the equivalent of 60% of the body's normal amount – but she was pronounced dead shortly before midnight.

A post-mortem examination found she bled to death as a result of a single stab wound, 10cm deep.

Mr Carmichael said: "The wound tracked forwards and up to the left and damaged both the jugular and carotid arteries as well as notching a bone of the spine. Moderate to considerable force would have been required to inflict this wound."

He continued: "The pathologists state that Bridget Cameron would have bled to death in a matter of minutes and that this wound was not self-inflicted. It is unlikely that even extremely prompt medical intervention could have saved her."

Police who went to the scene of the attack found Storey covered in blood, which he claimed happened when he carried Ms Cameron indoors. They found a knife and "extensive areas of blood staining" in the garden, as well as bloody footprints inside and outside the house.

Judge Lord Kinclaven heard Storey has previous convictions for breaches of the peace and assaults. Convictions dating back to March 1996 and October and November of 1999 were all said to be for behaviour directed towards his dead partner, with whom he had one child.

"The relationship between the accused and Bridget Cameron was stormy and volatile and had resulted in the accused being convicted of assaulting her," said Mr Carmichael. The court heard Storey was also involved with another woman throughout their relationship.

Storey was remanded in custody shortly after the attack, but an appeal against the refusal of bail was granted by the High Court on May 24 2004. Mr Carmichael said Storey was due to go on trial for murder at the High Court in Edinburgh on March 29 2005, but he failed to appear for the case. The prosecutor said: "Inquiries revealed that he had gone 'on holiday'. On March 30, 2005 a warrant was granted for his apprehension. Thereafter a formal extradition request was issued to the Thai authorities, who issued a warrant for the arrest of the accused. The accused remained in Thailand until his extradition in April 2008."

Inspector Sean Scott, the senior investigating officer in the case at the time, today said it was "old fashioned" police leg-work which resulted in Storey being tracked down. It was Storey's use of bank cards in Thailand which eventually enabled officers to work out exactly where he was. Mr Scott said they had to present the Thai authorities with a full case for extradition. "We had to go through the full extradition process. That took a while and once that was done they would then make efforts to find him," he said. Officers from Lothian and Borders Police eventually went over to Thailand to pick Storey up.

Mr Scott said it had been a "hard" four and a half years.

Indicating the victim's family members, he said: "I'm just glad for them. That's four and a half years it's been hanging over them. It's been a frustrating period but it's great that there's some kind of closure now."

Storey, who was remanded in custody, will be sentenced in Edinburgh on September 23.

- The Scotsman / 20 August 2008

[sriracha john]

Man who fled to Thailand admits killing lover

A man who jumped bail and fled to Thailand after knifing his lover to death at her home in Edinburgh is facing a life sentence after admitting murder.

Scott Storey's four years on the run ended when he left a boarding house in a "backwater resort" in the holiday paradise without paying his bill.

After his arrest by the Thai authorities, the British Embassy were tipped off and knew that extradition proceedings were already underway.

Storey, 43, was brought back to Edinburgh in April and appeared today in a courtroom packed with grieving relatives of victim Bridget Cameron.

Advocate depute Alastair Carmichael, prosecuting, told how she bled to death from a gaping wound to her neck after a cocaine-fuelled row at the house they shared in Pirniefield Bank, on the night of April 24 2004.

Roofer Storey waited 45 minutes before dialling 999 – then tried to claim that mother-of-four Bridget, 35, had inflicted the fatal wound herself.

Judge Lord Kincalven was told that Storey appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court two days later accused of murder and was remanded in custody pending further inquiries.

A month later Storey successfully appealed against the sheriff's ruling and a High Court judge ordered his release.

Storey failed to appear for trial in March 2005 and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Inspector Sean Scott of Lothian and Borders Police who led the hunt for Storey said: "My first thoughts are for the family. It has been four and a half years. It has been difficult for them.

"They have bourne up very well.

"It has been a frustrating case but it is good there has been some kind of closure now, finally."

The court heard that Storey and Bridget Cameron had a "stormy and volatile" on-off relationship for some 12 years and Storey had previous convictions for assaulting her.

They also had a child together, born with cerebral palsy and confined to a wheelchair. *wait a sec....The child who had a mother who was brutally murdered and a father who is looking at a life sentence in prison and... she also has... CP???????

.......................... that leaves one speechless to ponder*

Throughout most of their relationship Storey was also seeing another woman, and had two children with her.

Mr Carmichael said that on the fatal Saturday Bridget Cameron's children stayed with their granny or with friends.

The couple went for a few drinks at a pub in Leith then returned home in the early evening.

Mr Carmichael said that about 9.30pm two nine year old girls were playing in the garden of a nearby house when they heard screams and a cry for help coming from the back garden of 8 Pirniefield Bank. They told their parents, but their comments were ignored.

Mr Carmichael said at 10.43 p.m, Storey dialled 999 and said: "She's stabbed herself in the neck. He further referred to the scene in the house as 'madness' with blood everywhere and stated that he had attempted to wipe it up."

Ambulance personnel arrived at the house to find Bridget Cameron sitting on a sofa wearing pants and with one arm in her dressing gown. She was also covered in blood and her heart had stopped.

Doctors at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary tried to revive her with blood transfusions and heart-boosting drugs but without success.

A post mortem found she had bled to death from a stab wound below and behind her right ear which had slashed both jugular vein and carotid artery as well as notching a bone of her spine.

The 10 cm deep wound could not have been self inflicted, said the doctors.

Both Storey and his victims had traces of drugs in their systems, the court heard, and he told police they had shared a gramme of cocaine.

Inspector Scott said that Storey had been tracked down by good, old-fashioned police work and a lot of leg-work.

After Storey failed to appear for trial his car was found. Paperwork in the car showed where he had been living and that led police to uncover "financial information" which put them on his trail.

Credit card use confirmed that Storey was in Thailand and lengthy extradition moves began.

The Inspector said that before the Thai authorities could be asked to arrest Storey they had to be presented with sworn witness statements, all translated into Thai, to prove there was a case against him. It was almost as complicated as trying him in his absence.

"As luck would have it, after having done that, it was as a result of a board and lodgings fraud in Thailand that he was incarcerated there, in a back-water.

"Scott Storey was caught as a result of his own misdeeds."

Today Storey pleaded guilty to murder and failing to appear for trial. He is due back in court next month to be formally sentenced.

- The Edinburgh Evening News / August 20, 2008

=========================================================================

This escaped brutal murderer had been amongst us in Thailand for years.

Edited August 20, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

He failed to show for a May 2004 hearing in Scotland and was apprehended in Thailand in February 2007.

Beyond that time-line, it's unclear exactly where in Thailand he was or what he was doing.

Unfortunately, no on-line photos of him have been available which might help for people to recognize him and perhaps elaborate on these questions.

Finally... a photo of the accused is released...

Scott Storey being led from court

ok, ok, ok...I agree, not much help, but now the press finally produces a real photo of the accused... as well as a bit on his whereabouts whilst in Thailand.

Scott Storey

Court told murder accused went on the run to Thailand

A court has heard that a man accused of murder went on the run to Thailand after being released on bail. Scott Storey fled to the Far East after stabbing his partner in the neck. The 43-year-old was tracked down by Lothian and Borders Police and extradited back to the UK.

Charged with the brutal murder of his lover, Scott Storey jumped bail and fled to the other side of the world. The 43-year-old had stabbed Bridget Cameron in the back of the neck in Edinburgh four years ago. The mother of four bled to death within minutes.

Storey was arrested, put behind bars, but then released on bail by the appeal court to await trial.

When that day came, he did not turn up. Lothian and Borders Police discovered he had left the country. Inspector Sean Scott from Lothian and Borders Police said: "He'd left a car at Edinburgh airport and taken a flight to Thailand. From investigations with the car we were able to establish where Scott Storey had been living prior to his absconding and we were able through financial investigation to establish exactly where he was in Thailand."

The police narrowed their search to a district of Bangkok where Storey had been using his credit cards. There is no formal extradition treaty between Thailand and Britain - but there is an agreement dating back to 1911.

In May 2005 the Scottish authorities requested Storey's extradition, but first had to convince the Thais of the strength of their case. The evidence was sent to Bangkok and the Thais agreed to the request.

By a stroke of luck, Storey was already in a Thai prison - he had been arrested for not paying a bill at a lodging house. In April this year, he was bundled onto a plane back to Edinburgh.

Inspector Sean Scott said: "It's the first time that the Scottish jurisdiction has extradited from Thailand to the UK."

He added: "It is satisfying but to be quite frank my first thoughts are there's a palpable sense of relief for the family. That's been four and a half years that we've been trying to get some kind of closure to this case. And as you saw in court this morning there's a sense of relief for the family that we do have justice in this instance."

Bridget Cameron's family still cannot understand why Storey was given bail in the first place.

The 43-year-old has now pled guilty to murder and will be sentenced next month.

- Scotland Today / 20 August, 2008

[sriracha john]

Now, a two-minute television news video on the case with better pictures, has been posted here:

http://www.stv.tv/news/Court_told_murder_a...080820180826455

[sriracha john]

A very-often-asked question on Thaivisa regarding Thailand.... is now asked in the UK....

Why was he set free?

What has happened to our criminal justice system? Twenty years ago, a person charged with murder would have been remanded in custody until trial, with no question of bail.

Now we learn an individual charged with murder, and who had previous convictions for violence, was released on bail by a High Court judge, only to flee to Thailand (your report, 21 August).

Apart from the effort and expense arising from bringing him back to face trial, why has the crime of murder been downgraded?

Whether it is human rights/bail legislation or mistakes by judges, someone needs to be held accountable for decisions that put the public at risk.

- Opinion by Bob McDougall on The Scotsman / Aug. 21, 2008

Edited August 22, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

I wish we'd killed dad before he murdered mum, says grieving teen daughter

A GRIEVING girl of 13 wishes she had killed her dad before he could murder her mum.

Darcy Cameron's father, Scott Storey, 42, will be jailed for life today for viciously stabbing her mother Bridget, 35. But no sentence will end the agony for the heartbroken schoolgirl, or for Bridget's mum Patsy and dad Alex.

Patsy, 60, said: "Last month, after Storey pled guilty, Darcy asked where he was and we said he was in jail.

"She said 'good'. Then she burst into tears, hugged me and said, 'I wish we'd killed him before he killed mum'.

"We all feel a bit like that."

Storey plunged a knife into Bridget's neck at their home in 2004. Kids playing outside the house heard her dying screams.

It was far from the first time Storey had attacked his slightly built lover. The burly roofer had been savagely battering Bridget for years and even used her as a punchbag while Darcy was desperately ill as a baby.

Patsy said: "Darcy was premature and had two holes in her heart. She was in hospital for weeks and Bridget was going back and forward every day to feed her.

"During that time, Storey broke her nose and gave her two black eyes and she had to look after Darcy in that condition. He is nothing but a coward."

Alex, 60, said: "He is a piece of scum."

Bridget's loved ones have endured a long and painful wait to see Storey brought to justice. A judge gave him bail after he was charged with the murder and he turned tail and fled to Thailand.

He thumbed his nose at the family for three years, soaking up the sun, boozing, and blowing cash on hookers while Darcy, Patsy, Alex and Bridget's three other children went through hel_l.

And even after he was finally arrested - over a £60 hotel bill - it took another year for him to be extradited to Scotland.

Alex said: "The fact that Storey could flee the country prolonged the misery and agony for us all."

Storey cheated on Bridget and put her in hospital several times.

He was charged with attacking her in 2001, then broke a court order to keep away from her. He was arrested for defying the order but got bail and went on the run for nine months.

Storey was eventually jailed for eight months but he didn't learn his lesson. He was charged with attacking Bridget again in 2003 but the case was dropped.

As well as Darcy, who has a mild form of cerebral palsy, Bridget had two sons, Stephen, now 22, and Christopher, 20, and a daughter, Sarah, 17, from a previous relationship.

All four kids watched in horror as Storey brutalised their mum. But no matter how many times Bridget's parents begged her to leave him, she kept taking him back.

Patsy said: "We tried to talk to her but it was pushing a wedge between us. Eventually we had to let her get on with her life."

Patsy and Alex, who are divorced, never stopped fearing for Bridget's safety. And their worst fears came true in April 2004 when Storey murdered her at their home in Pirniefield Bank, Leith.

Two girls playing in the street heard Bridget screaming and a neighbour heard awoman shouting, "You b******!"

After killing Bridget, Storey dialled 999. Medics found her sitting on a sofa with a gaping wound to the side of her neck.

The killer and his victim had both been drinking and had taken cocaine and diazepam before the murder.

Patsy suspects that Storey killed Bridget after she refused a demand to give him tens of thousands of pounds.

His roofing business was going bust and Bridget was on the brink of a lucrative deal to buy her council house. She was being offered the home for £30,000 and it was worth £135,000 on the open market.

Patsy said: "Alex and I had offered Bridget £5000 towards the house but we made it clear it would be withdrawn if Storey had anything to do with the purchase.

"The police believed Storey saw the chance of a six-figure profit. He put Bridget under pressure to include him in the deal and killed her when she stuck to her guns and refused."

Storey claimed Bridget had stabbed herself but the police didn't believe him and he was charged with murder.

He was kept in custody at first. But then he was freed on bail and vanished.

Storey didn't turn up for his trial in March 2005. His car was found at Edinburgh airport and credit card details revealed he had flown to Thailand.

Patsy said: "We've heard that he did a runner because he was scared that Alex would kill him. He could beat a woman but he didn't fancy taking on a man."

Alex had already taken the law into his own hands once in a desperate bid to protect his daughter.

After Storey broke Bridget's nose in a particularly vicious beating, the furious dad went to confront him.

Patsy recalled: "Storey cowered behind his door but eventually opened it because Alex said he would break it down and it would be worse for him.

"Alex gave him a thumping and warned him. We always tried to keep the worst from him but now we wish he'd killed Storey."

Patsy and Alex knew full well that Storey was living it up in Thailand. Friends would come back from holidays and tell them they had spotted the killer boozing in bars in Pattaya.

But diplomatic efforts to have Storey arrested and extradited dragged on month after month. Patsy said in 2006: "We know where he is and so do the police. Why isn't he being dragged home?"

Storey was finally arrested in February 2007 after failing to pay his hotel bill. He had spent all his money on prostitutes.

Alex, a property developer, said: "I'm not surprised to hear what he was up to - no doubt the younger the better."

It took more than a year of wrangling to get Storey extradited. He finally arrived back in April this year and was sent to Saughton jail to await his day in court.

But he had to be moved to Perth after he found out he was in the same cell block as one of Bridget's cousins, armed robber Dean White, 33.

A jail insider said White quickly "marked Storey's card" and the gutless killer ran to prison bosses and pleaded for a transfer.

The source said: "He couldn't handle the grief he was getting. Dean gave him pelters.

"He was really worried about what was going to happen and begged to be moved."

In August this year, nearly four and a half years after he should have paid for his crime, Storey stood in the dock at the High Court in Edinburgh and admitted Bridget's murder. He also pled guilty to jumping bail.

Patsy said: "Storey took Bridget's life and ruined her children's lives. She was a fantastic daughter and a great mum and our lives will never be the same again.

"Our only comfort is that if he ever gets out, he'll be an old man."

Alex added: "Storey is where he belongs. I hope he stays there for a very long time."

- Daily Record (UK) / Sep 23 2008

[sriracha john]

Scott Storey fled to Thailand while on bail for murder

BBC

Killer who went on the run jailed

A man who jumped bail and fled to Thailand after killing his lover has been jailed for life.

Scott Storey, 43, admitted killing Bridget Cameron, 35, in April 2004 after a cocaine-fuelled row at the house they shared in Edinburgh.

He was brought back to Scotland in April after more than three years on the run.

Judge Lord Kinclaven sentenced him to 12 years and six months before he will be considered for parole. At the High Court in Edinburgh, Storey was told that the 11 months spent in a jail in Bangkok while awaiting extradition would count towards his minimum sentence.

At an earlier hearing Storey admitted murdering the mother-of-four at the home they shared in Pirniefield Bank.

Storey's years on the run ended when he left a boarding house in a "backwater resort" without paying his bill. After his arrest by the Thai authorities, the British Embassy were tipped off and knew that extradition proceedings were already under way.

Advocate depute Alastair Carmichael, prosecuting, told how Bridget Cameron bled to death from a gaping wound to her neck.

Storey waited 45 minutes before dialling 999 - then tried to claim that she had inflicted the fatal wound herself.

Solicitor advocate Robbie Burnett, defending, told how what should have been "an intimate evening" turned to tragedy. The couple had dropped their children off at a relative's house and had locked their door before taking - on Storey's account - up to three grammes of cocaine between them as well as 18 Valium, a litre of vodka, and six cans of beer.

Mr Burnett said: "Both were severely under the influence of drink and drugs which proved to be a deadly cocktail." "Had it not been for the cocktail of drink and drugs this incident would not have happened and would not have developed in the way it did."

Sentencing Storey, the judge said: "Your abuse of alcohol and drugs may go some way to explain what happened but it does not excuse. You remain accountable for your action."

Lord Kinclaven was told that Storey appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court two days after the murder and was remanded in custody pending further inquiries.

A month later Storey successfully appealed against the sheriff's ruling and a High Court judge ordered his release.

Storey failed to appear for trial in March 2005 and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

- BBC / 2008-09-23

[Scott]

Very sad story and even sadder to know this guy had his freedom for so long.

[PhilHarries]

A very-often-asked question on Thaivisa regarding Thailand.... is now asked in the UK....

Why was he set free?

What has happened to our criminal justice system? Twenty years ago, a person charged with murder would have been remanded in custody until trial, with no question of bail.

Now we learn an individual charged with murder, and who had previous convictions for violence, was released on bail by a High Court judge, only to flee to Thailand (your report, 21 August).

And the answer is..............

Two years ago, Mr Cameron sought the help of his MSP, Kenny MacAskill in trying to bring the matter to a successful conclusion. The case underlined what was then a growing controversy over bail, largely created by the adoption of the European Convention on Human Rights into Scots' law. Prior to this move, it was exceptional for those accused or murder of rape to receive bail.

Nowadays the perpetrator has lawyers on his side working the system to ensure he is afforded his human rights and freedom.

The only human right the victim gets is that of a funeral or, in the case of rape, counselling.

If they have to release people charged with serious crimes the absolute minimum they should do is confiscate the passport, electronically tag the perp and ensure his photograph is available at all points of exit from the country.

But no some cringing, bleating, wittering liberal will object to this as he's innocent until convicted and it impinges on his human rights.