“Anxious” Darren Day must wait for weapon trial

By Michael MacLeod

REDBULL-swigging actor Darren Day was given his wings again today (Thursday) after his trial over a weapon was postponed.

The 41 year-old travelled to Edinburgh Sheriff Court from Yorkshire to face trial for allegedly having a Kubotan keyring baton when stopped for drink driving in the capital last December.

But after just three minutes in the dock, he was sent away as the court was told a defence witness had not shown up.

With a driving ban hanging over his head, a worried looking but smartly suited Day downed a can of Redbull outside court.

Scots CSI lab fire-bombed by organised criminals

By Rory Reynolds and Paul Thornton

THE heart of Scotland’s forensic criminal investigations network stood crippled last night after being fire-bombed by what are believed to be organised criminals.

The Scottish Police Services Authority forensics lab in Edinburgh was ablaze for several hours as firefighters battled to prevent crucial evidence being lost.

According to police a masked thief threw incendiary devices into the building, smashing the large windows on the office level, before fleeing the scene in a getaway vehicle just after midnight yesterday.

Lothian and Borders Police have confirmed they are investigating whether criminal elements could have been attempting to destroy crucial forensic evidence.

The lab is one of the busiest in Scotland, employing 60 highly trained staff and supplying 20 per cent of the total forensic work carried out by all eight Scottish forces.

Poundland pervert caught filming up women’s skirts

By Michael MacLeod

A PERVERT secretly took mobile phone videos up the skirts of 40 women while he pretended to browse magazines in a Poundland shop.

William Gardner, 36, was caught “fumbling” in the magazine isle of the Edinburgh store by a security guard.

He desperately tried and failed to delete the sordid clips before being arrested.

Gardner told police he was “just being stupid” and today (Thursday) pled guilty to breach of the peace.

New prehistoric species discovered by Scots researcher

By Rory Reynolds

PREVIOUSLY unknown species of plankton-eating fish dominated the seas for more than 100 million years before being wiped out along with the dinosaurs.

New research carried out by a leading Glasgow University academic has revealed for the first time a previously uncharted species of large bony fish swarmed the seas during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.

Experts have said that the new whale-like species is the crucial missing link in the understanding of fish, mammals and ocean eco-systems.

The creatures were wiped out in the cataclysmic disaster that made the dinosaurs extinct.

Dr Jeff Liston, who works at the Faculty of Biomedical and Life Sciences at Glasgow Univrsity, came across fossils of the creatures while excavating sites in Peterborough in England.

100th birthday honoured by man’s local bookies

By Andrea McCallum

SCOTLAND’S oldest known punter celebrated his 100^th birthday in style yesterday– in his local bookies.

Sam Martinez was presented with a cake as well as £200 worth of free bets and a £100 charity stake.

The pensioner attended his local Ladbrokes in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh, with family and friends for a party held in his honour.

As a regular visitor to Ladbrokes, Sam was congratulated by staff and customers and was the centre of attention for the afternoon.

Funeral set for Macneil clan chief who taught Obama

By Michael MacLeod

A CLAN chief who taught law to US President Barack Obama will be laid to rest next week.

Funeral arrangements for Ian Macneil – who predicted a young Obama would be America’s first African American president – were confirmed last night (Thursday).

He died aged 89 on Tuesday in Edinburgh and will be buried on the Isle of Barra, where he was chief of the Clan Macneil.

Police seize £90,000 worth of drugs in raid

By Rory Reynolds

POLICE have seized around £90,000 worth of cannabis after smashing a drugs production operation.

Officers from Lothian and Borders Police seized around 300 plants used to grow the class B drug after a raid on a property in Edinburgh.

Police detained a man in connection with the raid on an address in Meadowbank near to Hibs’ Easter Road stadium.

A large quantity of equipment used to cultivate cannabis was discovered by police at around 4pm on Tuesday.

Sergeant Deborah Mitchell from Lothian and Borders Police said: “These cultivations help to fund serious and organised crime and with each one we take out of operation means we are able to put a dent in the activities of the criminal fraternities that plague our communities.

Sir Harry Lauder’s possessions go under the hammer

By Cara Sulieman

A BOX of treasures that used to belong to one of Scotland’s biggest entertainers is going under the hammer next month.

Fifty of Sir Harry Lauder’s signature possessions including his walking stick, travelling chest, a kilt, sporran and signed photographs were discovered in a dusty attic after 17 years.

The talented comedian, singer and entertainer – who counted Sir Winston Churchill amongst his friends – was born in Portobello.

Two of his great nephews, Harry and Colin Valance, have put the items up for sale on March 6 at Shapes Edinburgh Auction.

Swastika at football match causes outrage

By Cara Sulieman

A FAN was cautioned by police for waving a Swastika during a junior football match, it was revealed yesterday.

The man in his mid-20s was clocked by officers at the Emirates Scottish Junior Cup tie between Bathgate Thistle and Bo’ness United at the weekend.

The Bo’ness supporter was then asked to take down the eight foot high flag emblazoned with the Nazi emblem.

It came after complaints of sectarian songs being sung in pubs before the game, and sick chants about Vicky Hamilton’s murder during the match.