Anger as 18 detectives probe Goodwin’s smashed window

By Michael MacLeod

COPS dedicated 18 officers to investigate smashed panes of glass at former RBS boss Sir Fred Goodwin’s villa.

The police probe, made up of five detectives, top-ranking intelligence experts, forensic specialists and a police dog handler took a total of 75 working hours – but still nobody has been caught for the vandalism.

His Mercedes S600 was also targeted in an attack which, while small in scale, was reported worldwide as a symbolic attack on capitalism.

But the police response angered locals in the shamed banker’s home city of Edinburgh, claiming he got too much police attention.

“Joker” Daniel’s death stuns community

By Paul Thornton

THE family of a tragic teenager say he was taken from them “unfairly” after he was allegedly beaten with golf clubs just yards from his home.

Neighbours tried frantically to save Daniel Hambleton, 19, but he died in hospital following a 2am attack on Saturday morning.

But the young man was left with fatal head injuries and he died shortly after.

His family issued a statement paying tribute to his love for them and his sense of humour.

They said: “Everybody who knew Danny knew what he was like. He was a joker and always made everybody laugh.

“He was only nineteen, and he loved us and has been taken from us unfairly.”

Friends paid tribute to “Danny” with a makeshift shrine of flowers, teddy bears and a Celtic football shirt.

Scottish politicians take to the pitch at Ibrox

By Oliver Farrimond

A TEAM of MPs, MSPs and celebrities took to the field at Ibrox yesterday, battling out a high scoring contest in aid of an employment support programme.

The star-studded team, which included Secretary of State for Scotland Jim Murphy MP and disgraced TV presenter Angus Deayton, overcame a team of participants from the Support Employment programme sun by Rangers and Celtic football clubs.

The surprisingly fit celebrity team, clad in Rangers garb, were held until just after half-time, with game finishing 7-4 after a brace of late goals, including a cool finish from Secretary of State Murphy.

Less impressive was Frank McAveety MSP, who had to endure taunts of “We’re playing in blue Frank!” after a series of failed forward ventures down the right wing.

Fire brigade get new zapping device

By Cara Sulieman

A SCOTTISH fire service has brought in a new tool in the fight against hoax calls – technology that “zaps” phones and disables them.

Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue have been working with phone companies and have come up with a variety of ways to prevent the dangerous – and costly – prank calls.

When a mobile phone is registered to someone then they can be traced and reported to the police.

But some pay-as-you-go mobiles aren’t registered to anyone – and this is where the zapping technology will come in handy.

Scottish Government spend £23 million on temp staff

EXCLUSIVE

By Cara Sulieman

THE SCOTTISH Government has spent more £23 MILLION on temporary staff in the last four years.

And for the first three months of 2009 alone they paid out £1,472,320 on employing 162 short-term staff.

The figures, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, only include agency staff working in the core departments of the Scottish Government suggesting that the overall cost could actually be more.

But despite the high cost, the government insists using temporary agency staff is the best value for money to the taxpayer.