By Andrea McCallum A SAFETY expert claimed a decision to increase the gap in an office balcony by just 5cm may have led to the tragic death of a 21-month-old boy. Leanne Hunter said if the gap had been 10cm – as originally planned – little Ben McCreath would not have fallen through. Ben’s mother [...]
By Michael MacLeod A NERVOUS husband led cops on an 80mph chase because he feared his pregnant wife would find out he borrowed her car. Despite having been banned from the roads SEVEN times before, 29 year-old James Simpson agreed to drive from Airdrie to Edinburgh to give a friend a lift. [...]
By Michael MacLeod A MAN who twice filmed himself having sex with his dog has been put on the Sex Offenders’ Register for two years. John Kerr, 30, has also been banned from keeping animals as pets without permission from social workers. He was caught when he left his mobile phone – containing videos of [...]
By Rory Reynolds A PUB owner will make a final journey in his beloved Bentley tomorrow after his son converted the classic car into a hearse. Eddie Ewart’s coffin will be carried to his final resting place in the open top car, which will be followed by a convoy of Bentleys driven by enthusiasts from [...]
By Rory Reynolds STAFF at a top boutique hotel believe they may be accommodating some extra guests after hearing strange noises coming from the basement. They also said they felt a “strange chill” while fetching linen from an underground cellar in the basement of Fraser Suites in Edinburgh. The apartment-hotel, situated in the city’s Old [...]
By Rory Reynolds A PENSIONER has been charged with attacking a fire crew with a snooker cue as they fought to put out a fire at his home. The 70-year-old allegedly screamed abuse at firefighters and lashed out at them – while they were trying to save him. The fire crew had to pin the [...]
By Cara Sulieman SCOTTISH band Biffy Clyro told excited fans they hoped to play T in the Park as they signed copies of their new single at HMV in Edinburgh yesterday (Tues). Cameron Grady, 18, from Penicuik asked guitarist Simon Neil if they were planning on playing any festivals, and was told that the trio [...]
By Cara Sulieman FLAGS high above Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh were lowered to half mast today (Tues) in an emotional tribute to the “voice of rugby” Bill McLaren who has died aged 86. The legendary commentator, known for his absolute fairness, witty remarks and insightful turns of phrase gained a reputation for being the best [...]
By Rory Reynolds FOUR people have been taken to hospital after a three car pile-up thought to have been caused by poor driving conditions. A green Skoda was involved in a head-on collision with a Vauxhall Astra, with a third car hitting it from behind. Fire crews, five ambulance units and police officers raced to [...]
By Andrea McCallum A MAJOR crack down aimed at preventing deaths on Scotland’s level crossing network was launched yesterday. It comes just months after an elderly couple died in a horrific smash at an unmanned site last September. Angus MacKay and his wife Margaret, both 81, and Mr MacKay’s brother Donald, 66, were killed at [...]
By Michael MacLeod SCOTS YouTube biker Danny MacAskill is back on his bike after an agonising three months out with a broken collar-bone. The 24 year-old took the internet by storm last year with a video of his dazzling bike skills clocking over 14 million views online. He landed high-profile sponsorship deals and even film [...]
By Michael MacLeod A SHERIFF heading a Fatal Accident Inquiry into the death of a tragic 21-month old boy who plunged from an office block today (Monday) branded designs for the balcony he fell from “imprecise”. Little Ben McCreath fell to his death on Valentine’s Day in 2006 after he and his mum Louise stopped [...]
By Andrea McCallum CARING Scots have raised almost £100,000 for earthquake stricken Haiti in just three days, it was revealed yesterday. Mercy Corps, which is co-ordinating fundraising efforts from its European HQ in Edinburgh, said they had been inundated with offers of help since the quake struck last week. And they said time was of [...]
By Cara Sulieman A SCOTTISH health quango has back-tracked on plans to hire an external public relations company after coming under fire from politicians. NHS Health Scotland put out a tender worth £120,000 for a “public affairs agency” to help them get their message across at parliament. But last week Labour MSP Richard Baker called [...]
By Cara Sulieman HOSPITALS in Scotland have thrown away a £6 million mountain of food in the last two years. Averaging £3 million a year; NHS Boards in Scotland are literally throwing money down the drain as they waste hundreds of thousands of meals a year. The 14 health boards throw out over 400,000 meals [...]
By Rory Reynolds CRIME writer Kathy Reichs has spoken of her horror on discovering that a student who murdered and dismembered a young mother had become obsessed with one of her books. The US forensic expert said she was shocked to learn that Glasgow student Roshan Dantis brutally strangled his best friend’s wife, Khusbu Shah, [...]
By Rory Reynolds FILM critics have tipped Scots star Tilda Swinton for a second Oscar after a blazing performance in her latest screen role. The 49-year-old has received critical acclaim for her performance in Julia as a boozy party girl caught up in a kidnap plot. The role, which sees the real-life teetotaller launch into [...]
By Rory Reynolds SIR PAUL McCartney wants to play in Scotland for the first time in three decades, it has been revealed. The Beatles legend last played in Scotland since 1979, when he treated fans to an appearance with rock band Wings in Glasgow. But now the 67-year-old, who owns a farm on Kintyre, and [...]
By Rory Reynolds A TEAM of Scots scientists are preparing for a project to map famous landmarks around the world – in case they are lost to natural disasters or climate change. The six-strong team from Historic Scotland and the Glasgow School of Art will use the latest laser technology to make 3D models of [...]
By Rory Reynolds SOLICITORS acting for author JK ROWLING have denied reports she offered the previous owner of her new home £300,000 to move out early – so she could host a lavish Christmas bash. The best-selling author was said to have conjured up £2.2 million to pay for an Edinburgh mansion, despite already owning [...]