15-year road ban for who driver feared pregnant wife’s wrath

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.
 
He then tried to drive home drunk at 2.30am after downing five cans of lager.
 
But he “panicked” when he saw police and crashed his partner’s Vauxhall Vectra after a 20-minute chase through Edinburgh city centre.
 
Simpson, of Airdrie, was sent to prison for 18 months and disqualified from driving for 15 years today (Tuesday) at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. 
 

Dog sex video man spared prison spell

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 the disgusting attacks – behind a couch at a friend’s flat in Edinburgh’s Kirk Street.

The clips were reported to police, who told Scottish SPCA officers to seize the Staffordshire bull terrier from Kerr.

Pub owner to make final journey in his own Bentley hearse

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 across the globe.

His son Fraser thought it would be a proper send-off for his dad, who was a Bentley fanatic all of his life.

The 46-year-old, who is also an avid fan of the British brand, owning eight himself, said: “I tried to find a Bentley hearse, but I could only locate one down south.

“So I rolled my sleeves up and transformed the last one he owned.

Top boutique hotel haunted after cellar refurbishment

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 Town, lies just yards away from the notorious Mary King’s Close network of subterranean tunnels, where it is rumoured that plague victims were buried alive.

Paranormal experts now believe the spooky site could be another example of Edinburgh’s chequered past – famous for being riddled with death and mystery.

The site was once the offices of the Edinburgh Courant, one of the UK’s first regional newspapers, and latterly serving as a council building until 2007.

Pensioner charged with attacking firefighters

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 man back with a door, while they waited for police officers to arrive on the scene at Kippielaw Park in Dalkeith, Midlothian.

The blaze was eventually extinguished and the man was arrested and charged under the Emergency Workers Act 2005 and with a breach of the peace.

A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue service said: “This latest incident was particularly aggressive and we were forced to call the police.

Biffy Clyro hope to play T in the Park

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 hoped to perform on stage at Balado.

Tributes pour in to “voice of rugby” Bill McLaren

Flags fly at half mast above Murrayfield in Edinburgh

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 in the business in a career spanning almost half a century.

When he retired in 2002, he was already the proud recipient of a MBE, OBE and CBE for services to rugby.

And he was still subject of an internet campaign calling on the Hawick born favourite to be Knighted too.

Four in hospital after three car pile-up

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 the scene of the incident, which occurred on the A703 near Penicuik, Midlothian, on Monday night ar around 9.40pm.

Firefighters freed the two most seriously injured passengers using cutting equipment, after which ambulances rushed four of the five patients involved to hospital.

The incident is the second crash to occur at the accident black spot in several days.