Divorcing couples told to stay away from ‘bitter twitter’ rows

By Christine Lavelle

AN EDINBURGH law firm has advised feuding couples to stay away from social networking sites until their divorces have been settled.

A family law solicitor at Gibson Kerr said the trend of using websites like Facebook and Twitter to complain about partners during divorce proceedings is a phenomenon which is sweeping the UK and the United States.

Partner Fiona Rasmusen said: “With social media sites like Facebook and Twitter becoming more and more popular, it’s easy for people going through a divorce to be tempted to share their feelings online.

“In some cases they may post information about the stress they’re under, but equally it could be derogatory or unpleasant accusations leveled against their partner.

Court warned of “real emergency” 24-hours before Riggi tragedy

By Christine Lavelle

A COURT was warned three school children were at risk just 24-hours before they are feared to have been killed by their own mum at a flat in Edinburgh, it was revealed yesterday.

A Court of Session judge ordered a warrant to find Theresa Riggi, 46, on Tuesday and for her children to come under the watch of social workers after she failed to show for a divorce hearing.

David Jack, counsel to the children’s father Pasquale, warned the court it was facing a “real emergency” after she refused to tell of their whereabouts in a phone call to her estranged husband.

Lady Clark agreed to grant a warrant allowing court officers to search for Mrs Riggi and said social workers should supervise the children plus apply to a sheriff for child protection orders if necessary.

But after reports of a blaze in the Slateford Road area of Edinburgh on Wednesday which saw her leap from a second floor balcony, the bodies of twins Luca and Austin, eight, and five year old Cecelia were found.

Today Lothian and Borders Police said they only became aware of the concerns after the deaths, but insisted it would have been messengers at arms and not officers who would have enforced the warrant.

Guilty Darren’s driving days are over after 4am smash

By Michael MacLeod

SHAMED actor Darren Day made a grovelling apology after being banned from driving for five years and fined £1250 for crashing his wife’s top of the range Mercedes whilst drunk.

After a two-day trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court the former I’m A Celebrity star – who was yesterday found guilty of possessing a Ninja style cosh – revealed the December smash was also partly to blame for the split from his partner Stephanie Dooley.

Speaking outside court, a smartly dressed but sad looking Day said: “I am truly, deeply and sincerely sorry for what I have done.”

Day was engaged five times before wedding the ex-Emmerdale actress two years ago.

Lawyers set up “divorce hotline”

Fiona Rasmusen

By Cara Sulieman

CHRISTMAS is traditionally a time of goodwill and cheer – but for some couples it will end in tears and divorce.

And to help waring spouses get the ball rolling on the proceeding, an legal firm has set up a divorce hotline.

Gibson Kerr in Edinburgh plan to respond quickly to calls over the holiday period from husbands or wives wanting to get out of their failed relationship.

Recent numbers show that 1.8 million people across the UK consider splitting up over Christmas – and counselling service Relate say they receive 50 per cent more calls from married couple at this time of the year.

Website helps rich love cheats cover up affair

By Cara Sulieman

FAT CAT love cheats can get a helping hand to keep their illicit affair a secret by a Scottish security team.

HideMyAffair.com provides services like faking hotel receipts and travelling tickets to provide cover stories to people leading a double life.

It is all designed to make a passionate weekend away seem like a mundane conference or fishing trip.

A spokeswoman for the secretive Glasgow-based firm said they were constantly updating their techniques to stay ahead of the game.