JUST DESERTS


LIFE SENTENCE FOR BRUTAL MURDER OF DUNDEE CABBIE


A 47-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of the murder of 55-year-old Mark Ward in Dundee. Steven Greig was previously charged with assault to serve injury after seriously assaulting Mr Ward, however he was convicted of his murder on Wednesday, 29 January, 2025 at the High Court in Dundee. He was sentenced to life at the High Court in Edinburgh today,


Thursday 10 April, 2025. He must serve a minimum term of 16 years. On 6 April, 2022 Mark Ward was working as a taxi driver when he was seriously assaulted by Greig on Couper Angus Road. He was taken to hospital where he died as a result of his injuries on Wednesday, 5 April, 2023.


Detective Inspector Craig Kelly said: “Mark Ward endured a violent and unprovoked attack as he was going about a normal working day.


Our thoughts


remain with his family and friends who have also suffered immensely because of Greig’s brutal actions. We hope his sentencing today will bring them some form of comfort. “Thankfully crimes such as these are extremely rare communities.”


in our


TEENAGE ARMED ROBBER JAILED FOR 30 MONTHS AFTER TARGETING ABERDEEN TAXI DRIVERS


A 19-year-old armed robber who preyed on taxi drivers in Aberdeen has been locked up for two and a half years. Ellis Gardiner, fuelled by drugs, subjected one driver to a terrifying ordeal, pressing a knife against his face and drawing blood, and later robbed another of £50 while brandishing a screwdriver. Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard how Gardiner also stole £80 from his mother in a drug-induced state. Fiscal depute Emma Petersen said the first incident occurred at 2:30am on 4 August last year. After being picked up in Aberdeen and taken to


Mastrick, Gardiner,


directed the driver to various streets before launching his attack. “As soon as the taxi stopped, the accused seized the complainer by the arms, pushing him in to the seat,” Ms Petersen told the court.


PHTM MAY 2025


“The complainer felt blood running down his chin and noticed that the accused had a knife pressed on his face.” Gardiner demanded the driver’s phone, wallet and car keys. The driver refused but Gardiner took his wallet and fled. The second cabbie was targeted on 19 February this year by Gardiner and an accomplice, Steven Gribble, who has already been jailed for two years and eight months for the “disgraceful crime”. The court heard that Gribble demanded £50 from the driver. While Gribble held a screwdriver, Gardiner stated: “I’ve got some- thing at your back as well.” In court, Gardiner admitted to three counts of assault and robbery. His defence


solicitor,


Laura Gracie, explained her client was battling a severe drug addiction at the time, admitting he had smoked crack cocaine before the knifepoint robbery. “He knows that the impact on both taxi drivers will have been serious,” Ms Gracie said, adding, “Mr Gardiner does not try to excuse his behaviour, he just wanted to explain why it happened.” However, Sheriff William Summers deemed a custodial sentence unavoidable, telling Gardiner that he had committed “three serious offences, two of which involved attacks on vulnerable taxi drivers.” He added, “The notion that these offences could be dealt with by anything other than a custodial sentence is patently absurd.” Sheriff Summers ultimately sentenced Gardiner to a total of 30 months in prison.


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