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By Clare Carswell
A MAN has died after crashing his car into a front garden following a suspected heart attack.
The 51 year-old is believed to have suffered a heart attack while behind the wheel of his BMW causing him to veer off the road at Edinburgh’s Drumbrae round-a-bout around 6am today (tues).
His car ploughed through a metal railing and a stone wall before stopping a few feet away from the front door of Meadow Place House at the corner of Meadow Place Road and Corstorphine Road.
By Martin Graham
A BEAUTY spot immortalised in Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel ‘Kidnapped’ is the subject of a furious row between Edinburgh Zoo and a local conservation group.
The area on Corstorphine Hill is known as the Rest and Be Thankful was featured in the climactic final passages of the novel when the two main characters Alan Breck and David Balfour bid each other farewell as they survey the view of the city and the castle.
The literary landmark is part of a proposed land exchange deal between the Zoo and City of Edinburgh Council.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, which runs Edinburgh Zoo, claims that the original Rest and Be Thankful is further up the hill and they have offered to restore it in exchange for a chunk of land to the east of the zoo which includes the current site.
By Rory Reynolds
POLICE are hunting for an armed robber after a betting shop was held up at gunpoint in broad daylight.
A man made off an unknown amount of money after threatening a cashier with what appeared to be a handgun at 9.30am on Saturday morning.
The robbery took place at the William Hill branch on St John’s Road in Edinburgh’s affluent Corstorphine area.
Police say the man crossed the busy St John’s Road and was last seen walking towards Kirk Loan.
The man is described as being tanned, in his 30s, around 6ft in height, with prominent features, a dark beard and a moustache. Continue reading
John Hunter is giving up the job he loves because of council rules
By Cara Sulieman
A LOLLIPOP man has quit after being told he can’t high-five the kids or give out sweets anymore.
John Hunter, 69, has worked at Corstorphine Primary School in Edinburgh for 10 years and has always been popular with the children at the school.
He claims they queue up to receive one of this trademark high-fives and he dishes out chocolates on his birthday and a Christmas.
But after one parent complained he has been told that he can’t do either things, and John has decided to quit.
By Michael MacLeod
CELTIC goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska has been hit with a fine for speeding near Edinburgh Zoo.
A speed camera caught the 27 year-old Poland international hitting 41mph in a 30mph zone on the capital’s Corstorphine Road on January 21 this year.
This week he admitted that he had been driving a car over the speed limit.
The Parkhead number two managed to keep a clean sheet in his side’s 4-0 win over Falkirk in the Co-operative Insurance Cup on Wednesday night.
But yesterday (Thurs) he got three penalty points on his licence at Edinburgh’s Justice of the Peace Court.
POLICE are hunting two racist thugs after they attacked a defenceless father-of-three as he walked home from work.
Jahirul Islam, 37, from Edinburgh, suffered a broken nose, cuts and bruises and a damaged knee after the two attackers repeatedly smashed a boulder against him during the brutal assault.
Mr Islam was set upon on Saturday night as he made his way home from working as a curry chef at a restaurant in the Corstorphine area of the city.
The distraught dad was punched and kicked to the ground before suffering a horrendous ten minute ordeal in which he was continually verbally abused.
The attackers then tried to strip Mr Islam of his clothes before making off with his wallet.
By Cara Sulieman
SANTA is a common sight at this time of year, bringing joy and cheer to children and adults alike.
But scrooge residents in Edinburgh are trying to put a stop to one Mr Claus – because he is making too much noise.
Jason as Santa 'being noisy' and upsetting residents
During the day, Jason Lawe, 25, works at the P and R Powerwash in Corstorphine, but by night he dons his Santa outfit and waves to passers by at the winter wonderland.
It has all proved too much for the residents of Drum Brae Road South, who have complained about car horns going off and loud Christmas music being piped out over the garage forecourt.
The garage owners claim it isn’t their fault that drivers toot at Santa as they pass by, and that they do nothing to encourage it.
Andy Marshall, 29, owns the garage and is shocked by the complaints made against them.
He said: “When the guys from the council came round I thought they were coming about the music, but they said that wasn’t a problem. Then when they said they had had complaints about Santa I couldn’t believe it.
“He doesn’t make a noise, he just sits and waves at the cars. When the drivers toot back it’s not like they have their hand on the horn for ages, it’s just a quick beep beep.
“We just want to say to the people that complained, and to the council, show a bit of festive spirit.”
The team at the garage are now scared of annoying their neighbours and have turned down the music and removed Santa from the site.
Jason is upset at the situation as he enjoyed being Santa and bringing some festive cheer to the neighbourhood.
He said: “Who would complain about Santa? It is just for the kids. I give them a lollipop and ask them what they want for Christmas. What’s the harm?”
Councillor Paul Edie, community safety leader, said: “All we’d ask is for people driving past to show consideration so that they don’t dampen local residents’ festive spirits.”
Deadline Press & Picture Agency 