Dundee Police Chief Admits Force Provided Misinformation Over Lochee Knife Incident

Police chiefs have admitted that the initial information the force shared about a knife incident in Dundee “did not fully reflect the situation”.

Ilia Belov, 22, was found guilty at Dundee Sheriff Court this week of making sexual remarks at teenagers in a case which drew global focus to Dundee.

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In August 2025, the Bulgarian national committed the offences during a chaotic incident on St Ann Lane in Lochee.

He pushed one of the girls, 12, who had produced an axe and a knife.

The girl said she produced the weapons to prevent her sister from being assaulted by Belov’s sister, Nadjedzha Belova, who ran to the scene and attacked the girl.

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A video of the girl brandishing a knife and an axe circulated online.

Police issued a statement saying they were aware that “misinformation” was being spread online about youths approaching a Bulgarian couple.

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“Following further investigation, including review of CCTV, Ilia Belov and Nadjedzha Belova were charged, resulting in today’s conviction of Belov and of Belova at an earlier hearing.

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