Scots sheriff brands race attack teen “an arsehole”

By Michael MacLeod and Rory Reynolds

A SHERIFF branded a racist thug as “an arsehole” after he punched an Iranian student in the face.

Victim Yasin Hajizdeh, 23, was travelling on an Edinburgh bus when he heard passengers behind him calling him a “Paki”.

On turning around he was thumped in the face by Murdo Manson, 16, and had to be taken to hospital in an ambulance.

Afterwards, Manson admitted to police he had been “acting like an arsehole on the bus”.

And yesterday Sheriff Deirdre MacNeill QC fined him £200, slamming the assault as “despicable”.

Charity appeal for missing greyhound

Poppy, who went missing outside the Dogs Trust in West Calder

 

By Cara Sulieman

A GREYHOUND has made a mad dash for freedom as she was being moved to a re-homing centre.

Poppy had been looked after by a local charity for the last three months and was on her way to the Dogs Trust re-homing centre in West Calder when she slipped out of her harness and ran away.

And now Lois Sinclair – who rescued the two-year-old pooch – is desperate to find her and help her get the happy home she deserves.

As the black greyhound is frightened of people, the charities are asking for people to call in any sightings of the pup rather than try and catch her themselves.

Susan Boyle dedicates debut album to mum

By Cara Sulieman

SUSAN Boyle has dedicated her record-breaking debut album to her mum – saying she promised her she would “do something” with her life.

I Dreamed a Dream hit the shops today, but had already broken the sales record for pre-orders on website Amazon.

With bookies refusing to take bets on the CD reaching the top spot in the album charts this week, the debut was a success before it even hit the shelves.

And SuBo makes several references to her mum on the cover sleeve, dedicating her most famous song I Dreamed a Dream to Bridget Boyle, who died in 2007 aged 91.

Thomas Main jailed for life over Michael Wood murder

by ANDREA McCALLUM

A TEEN who murdered a dad-of-two in an unprovoked attack has been jailed for life.

Thomas Main, 18, kicked and stamped Michael Wood to death in Aberdeen in June this year.

Mr Wood’s face was “smashed” during the attack and he died from his injuries.

Today (Monday) at the High Court in Livingston, thug Main was jailed for life after he previously admitted killing him.

Judge Lord Bracadale said the murder was “unprovoked” and ruled that Main must serve a minimum of 13 years before he can be considered for parole.

Defending, Mark Stewart QC, said Main had left school at an early age and had “drifted” into a life of drink and drugs.

He said: “It was the combination of his taking drink and drugs on the date in question which led to the incident which resulted in the attack and death of Mr Wood.

“There’s nothing which I can say which in any way explains or justifies the assault on Mr Wood – the apology I’m instructed to make will mean little to those affected by Mr Wood’s death.