Transgender butcher admits abducting and sexually abusing schoolgirl
A transgender butcher has admitted abducting a schoolgirl from a street in the Scottish Borders before locking her inside his bedroom and sexually abusing her.
Andrew Miller, also known as Amy George, lured the young victim into his car in February while dressed as a woman.
The 53-year-old, who was addressed as a male by the court, appeared via video link to plead guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday.
First Minister Humza Yousaf told Sky News he cannot say whether Miller will be detained in a women’s jail after being sentenced.
“This is a gut-wrenching case – heart-breaking. I cannot think of the trauma the victim and the family, in fact the community, are going through.
“I can confirm, of course, that Andrew Miller is being held in a male prison. But I cannot say which one and I cannot go into the details.”
Asked if he would remain in a male prison, Mr Yousaf replied: “This is a live case. The sentencing is still to happen, so I can’t comment any further.”
The court was told the child was walking home when the sex offender, who was a stranger, offered her a lift in his vehicle because she “looked freezing”.
Miller, who is currently transitioning, confined his victim inside his bedroom before repeatedly sexually assaulting her over the next 27 hours at his home.
Miller will be sentenced later this year. Pic: Police Scotland
The prosecution described how the child only managed to escape and call 999 when Miller fell asleep.
Police described her fear as “palpable” when she was rescued from Miller’s home.
The age of the victim and location of the crimes cannot be revealed to protect the victim’s identity.
The local butcher shop he once owned was boarded up by detectives at the time.
‘Every parent’s worst nightmare’
Miller pleaded guilty to four charges – abduction, sexual assault, watching pornography in the presence of the child, and possessing 242 indecent images of children.
The judge, Lord Arthurson, told Miller his offences represented “abhorrent crimes” of the utmost “deviance and depravity” and were “the realisation of every parent’s worst nightmare”.
Miller was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 15 August.
Detective Chief Inspector Bryan Burns said: “Our thoughts today are with the victim and her family who have shown incredible courage and strength throughout this ordeal.
“This was a significant investigation and I would like to thank all those involved for their professionalism and commitment during what was an extremely challenging inquiry.
“Andrew Miller has pled guilty to serious offending and will now face the consequences of his actions.”
Trans prisoners in Scotland
Earlier this year, Scotland paused the movement of any transgender prisoner while it carried out an “urgent” review of the rules.
It followed a public outcry after Isla Bryson, a transgender double rapist, was initially imprisoned in an all-female prison before being removed to a jail with male inmates.
Bryson, a serial sex offender who attacked vulnerable women when she was known as Adam Graham, decided to transition while awaiting trial, which provoked outrage among campaigners.
Scotland’s gender reforms
The Scottish parliament’s Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill was passed in Holyrood last year, but the government in Westminster announced it was blocking the bill from Royal Assent and becoming law – the first time the power has been used since devolution nearly 25 years ago.
Critics have raised concerns predatory men could obtain a gender recognition certificate in Scotland in order to gain access to single-sex spaces and place women in jeopardy, and those spaces would have to adopt different policies.
Those in favour of the bill argue it would introduce a simpler and fairer way for trans men and women to be legally recognised as who they are.
Singer Linda Nolan, who rose to fame alongside her sisters in The Nolans, has died after several years of battling cancer.
The Irish star, 65, and her sisters Coleen, Maureen, Bernie, Denise and Anne, had a run of hits in the late 1970s and ’80s – including the disco classic I’m In The Mood For Dancing.
Paying tribute on The Nolans‘ X account, her sisters described her as “a pop icon and beacon of hope”, who “faced incurable cancer with courage, grace and determination, inspiring millions”.
Linda died peacefully in hospital this morning, “embraced with love and comfort” with her siblings by her side, her agent Dermot McNamara said in a statement.
“As a member of The Nolans, one of the most successful girl groups of all time, Linda achieved global success; becoming the first Irish act to sell over a million records worldwide, touring the world and selling over 30 million records,” he said.
“Her distinctive voice and magnetic stage presence brought joy to fans around the world, securing her place as an icon of British and Irish entertainment.”
As well as her TV and musical career, Linda helped to raise more than £20 million for numerous charities, including Breast Cancer Now, Irish Cancer Society, Samaritans and others.
“Her selflessness and tireless commitment to making a difference in the lives of others will forever be a cornerstone of her legacy,” Mr McNamara said.
Five of the Nolans in 1983 (L-R): Linda, Anne, Bernie, Coleen and Maureen. Pic: PA
Linda’s death came after she was admitted to hospital with pneumonia over the weekend. She began receiving end-of-life care after slipping into a coma on Tuesday.
Details of a celebration of the star’s “remarkable life” will be shared in due course.
Linda was born to Tommy and Maureen Nolan in Dublin on 23 February 1959, the sixth of eight children.
Her parents were both singers and keen to turn their young family into a musical troupe. Linda made her stage debut aged just four.
Those early years put the siblings on track for a career in show business which lasted for decades. As well as I’m In The Mood For Dancing, The Nolans had hits with Gotta Pull Myself Together, Attention To Me and Don’t Make Waves, and they also had their own TV specials.
At their height, they toured with Frank Sinatra and were reported to have outsold The Beatles in Japan.
Linda left the group in 1983, but later reformed with her sisters for several comeback performances. She also became known for musical theatre, most notably performing the role of Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers for three years from 2000.
L-R: Bernie, Denise, Linda (top), Anne and Maureen Nolan pictured in 1975, before youngest sister Coleen joined the group
Four siblings struck by cancer
Linda was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, and underwent a mastectomy two days before her 47th birthday.
After being given the all-clear in 2011, in 2017 she was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. Three years later, Linda and Anne together revealed they were being treated for cancer once again.
The sisters were diagnosed with different forms of the disease just days apart after they returned home from filming a series of their show, The Nolans Go Cruising. Linda had cancer of the liver, while Anne had breast cancer.
The star, pictured last year, had battled cancer for several years. Pic: Shutterstock
They went on to write Stronger Together, an account of their journey that included frank details of their treatments and the side effects.
But in 2023, Linda revealed the cancer had spread to her brain and she was beginning treatment as part of a new drug trial.
The Nolans lost their second-youngest sister, Bernie, to cancer in 2013, aged 52.
Loose Women star Coleen Nolan also revealed she was diagnosed with skin cancer last year, and said she was using a chemotherapy cream to remove it.
Linda’s husband of 26 years, Brian Hudson, died in 2007 after being diagnosed with skin cancer.
Anne Nolan is now cancer-free.
Tributes to star ‘who was always a joy’
TV star and singer Cheryl Baker and comedian Tommy Cannon are among those who have paid tribute.
“I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Linda Nolan,” Cannon wrote on X. “I had the pleasure of working with her on so many occasions, and she was always a joy – full of warmth and love. My thoughts and love are with the Nolan girls and the whole family.”
“The most incredible voice, the wickedest sense of humour, such a massive talent,” Baker wrote. “You’re with Brian now, Lin.”
Loose Women also sent its love to her family. Linda appeared as a guest panellist on the ITV chat show over the years, alongside her sister Coleen.
The Blackpool Grand Theatre described her as “a true Blackpool icon”.
A 20-year-old trainee gas engineer who won £7.5m says he was back working on blocked drains the day after claiming his cash.
James Clarkson, 20, from Carlisle, Cumbria, found out he’d hit the £7,533,329 National Lottery jackpot on 4 January – but said he has no plans to quit his job.
“I was out in the cold fixing blocked drains the day after I found out I had won,” he said.
“It was a bit grim but that’s reality.
“I’m not going to stop working, I’m too young,” he added, admitting he knew it might sound “mad” to some.
“I want to qualify as a heating engineer and then go from there.
“I need to have a purpose in life, plus dad wouldn’t let me not work anyway. He says there are plenty of millionaires out there that still work and you need a reason to get up each day.”
Mr Clarkson celebrating with his family. Pic: PA
Mr Clarkson added he still planned to have “some nice holidays” in between working, and revealed one of his first purchases was an all-inclusive luxury break to Cape Verde, along with a few designer items including a Gucci bag for his girlfriend and two new jackets for himself.
He said he also planned to splash out on a new car, possibly an Audi – but for now, he’s got his work van.
“If you drive a cold work van all day, going from job to job, you’d understand,” he said.
“The comfort, the steering, the heated seats. I realise how jammy that sounds, not many people my age can afford the car insurance let alone a car like that to drive.”
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As a huge Manchester City fan, he said he was also looking to buy a season ticket at the Etihad Stadium, as well as taking care of his extended family – starting with paying off his parents’ mortgage.
The new multi-millionaire holds up bespoke Manchester City kit celebrating his win. Pic: PA
He said: “I’ve been thinking about it a lot, it’s what I want to do. I told them last night and they seemed really overwhelmed.
“We are close and they have always been there for me. This win isn’t just for me, I want to make sure we all benefit.”
Mr Clarkson played on the National Lottery app, choosing his winning numbers – 16, 19, 22, 24, 27 and 35 – at random.
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