Imaginary family lands gambling addict in jail

By Michael MacLeod

A MAN who made up an entire family and claimed to be fighting for custody of his kids to con a workmate out of £30,000 has been jailed for 15 months.

Former Scottish Water employee Alexander Shields looked for pity from his “naïve” workmate Lynn McFarlane by pretending he was embroiled in a custody battle and asked her for cash.

She fell for his elaborate domestic nightmare – before it was revealed he had made up having a wife and kids simply to dupe her.

The 26 year-old Bathgate man then recklessly gambled the lot without making a penny back.

Today (Thurs) at Edinburgh Sheriff Court he blamed a gambling addiction and said he “always intended to give the money back.”

But Sheriff Neil MacKinnon branded him “dishonest, calculated and callous.”

Mum escapes punishment after putting hash before her kids

By Michael MacLeod

A SHAMED Scots mum who neglected her four “street urchin” children while immaculate cannabis plants grew in her home walked free from court today (Thurs).

The four children – aged between 10 and seven – were forced to live in squalor while their father grew tended cannabis plants in a cupboard in their grubby Edinburgh home.

The youngsters were discovered sleeping on the floor covered by dirty bed sheets.

When police entered the filthy flat, they called in social workers who immediately took the neglected kids into care.

Their faces were so dirty that police said they resembled “street urchins.”

Meanwhile a dozen cannabis plants – hand-reared from seed – enjoyed daily watering and plush conditions to grow hash for their 36 year-old father.

The illegal plants had fans and heat lights to keep them at their optimum temperature for growing.

Cutting-edge Edinburgh healthcare clinic sued for not paying builders

By Oliver Farrimond

A CUTTING-edge private healthcare clinic worth more than £8 million is being sued for failing to pay its builders.

The Edinburgh Clinic has found itself at the centre of a £500,000 legal wrangle with around a dozen subcontractors and suppliers claiming not to have been paid.

The centre, which is based the upmarket Colinton area of the city, is touted as Scotland’s first “five-star” private healthcare clinic, boasting cutting edge medical technology and some of the top surgeons and consultants in the country.

But Midlothian-based Arthurseat Ltd, the centre’s main contractor, launched legal action after work on the complex was finished in February.

Former airline exec lifts the lid on baffling management-speak

By Rory Reynolds

A SCOTS author once at the helm of one of the world’s biggest airlines has published a book mocking the same mind-boggling management-speak that he used for decades.

Richard Havers – a former vice president at Continental Airlines – has lifted the lid on the baffling phrases that his firm used to communicate with their 40,000 workers.

His new book ‘Management Bollocks’ features pictures from the early 20th century, with speech bubbles expressing bizarre phrases including ‘ambitious change agenda’ while others couple several business clichés together.

Richard, who lives in Duns, Berwickshire, said: “Every worker in every office in Britain will have at some point heard some management jargon – a ridiculously long-winded and confusing way of saying something simple.

“Human resource departments have invented a language that they understand but no-one else really does.

Scots firm offers free dry cleaning for jobseekers

By Rory Reynolds

A SCOTS firm is to give a helping hand to jobseekers going for interviews – by dry cleaning their clothes for free.

The Waverley Laundry Company are offering the free deal in their three Edinburgh dry cleaning shops, which usually handle luxury suits and dresses.

And bosses are to work with Job Centre Plus to give jobseekers the chance to impress their interviewers by looking their best on the big day.

Hopefuls have just to present a letter confirming their job interview to staff at the firm’s branches, to receive the free service.

Andrew Ball, 63, said that his firm were keen to extend the offer to customers in Scotland after their high-profile scheme at their Yorkshire branches was successful.

Scots teenager’s honesty sees him decorated by Edinburgh police

By Oliver Farrimond

A SCOTS teenager who stumbled across more than £1,000 in cash has seen his honesty rewarded with a prize.

15-year-old David McEwan found the notes in a bulging brown wallet near his home in Woodside Drive, Penicuik – and didn’t hesitate to do the right thing.

The fourth-year pupil at Penicuik High handed the £1,300 straight to his mum, Louise Lumsden, who sent it on to the police.

And now Lothian and Borders Police have recognised his honest streak with an Honesty Award from the Penicuik Crime and Prevention Panel.

David said: “It was a really straightforward decision – just hand it in.

Hundreds pay tribute to “brave hero” Corporal Tam

by Andrea McCallum

HUNDREDS of mourners including soldiers in full regimental dress turned out to pay their last respects to a fallen Scots “hero” laid to rest with full military honours yesterday (Thurs).

Sobbing relatives of Corporal Tam Mason of the Black Watch stood shoulder to shoulder with soldiers of the Royal Regiment of Scotland as they said their last goodbyes at Douglas Bank Cemetery in Cowdenbeath, Fife.

Together they heard the 27-year-old described as being “everything an officer could ask for in a soldier”.

But the most emotional tribute came via his mother Linda who, unsteady on her feet as she said goodbye, paid a heartfelt farewell to her “brave” son.

In a penned tribute, she said: “You are the best there ever was Tam.

Newspaper Round-Up Thursday November 5th