Justice Scales New Heights As Thief Gets To Repay Cash

By Paul Thornton

A THIEF who stole over £10,000 from the firm he worked for has been given a chance to repay the cash – after landing a job scaling buildings.

Photobooth worker Colin Smith, 35, worked for Snap Digital Imaging and travelled around Scotland collecting the takings from the passport picture booths.

But instead of banking the coins Smith pocketed the money and used the cash to pay off bills and mortgage payments.

Missing

His scam was uncovered after a company audit confirmed the cash was missing and Smith was arrested.

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court he pleaded guilty to embezzling £10,724 from the company during August 2008.

It was initially claimed that Smith took over £15,000 from the machines but a reduction in the amount was accepted by prosecutors.

Sally’s pioneering wheelchair Nevis bid is summit else

By Michael MacLeod

A BRAVE Scotswoman has vowed to become the first person to climb Ben Nevis unaided in a wheelchair.

Sally Hyder, 47, who has multiple sclerosis, says she will not be “shackled down by this stupid disease.”

She is currently training to take on Britain’s highest mountain in a battery-powered off-road wheelchair in August.

And although wheelchair users have reached the 4,406ft-peak before, the path is so steep at the top that they have previously had to be carried to the summit.

Police hero raises £30,000 for mountain rescue teams

By Alexander Lawrie

A SCOTS policeman who broke his neck after falling 200 ft down a mountain has made a miracle comeback and raised more than £30,000 for the organisations who helped save his life.

Michael Tunney was out walking with his 16-year-old son, also Michael, near to the Bridge of Orchy in 2006 when he slipped on ice and plummeted down the mountain breaking his neck, arm, hip and seven ribs.

Michael jnr. managed to contact the emergency services by mobile phone, but as he tried to reach his badly injured dad he too fell and broke bones in his hand before being knocked unconscious.

Now the courageous British Transport Policeman, who was forced to undergo three years of intensive operations and physio, has just completed an arduous 103-mile trek across the country’s highest peaks to raise money for the men who saved his and his son’s life.

Champion Scots mountain bikers gearing up for World Cup

By Oliver Farrimond

Cyclists are gearing up for the Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Scotland.

The event sees competitors racing down the gruelling terrain in Fort William on June 6 and 7.

Mike Jardine of Rare Managment launched the first day of tickets going on sale for the world-famous event.

Scottish competitor Ben Cathro is hoping to finish in a top-ten position.

He said: “There’s always such a buzz at Fort William – we’ll be up against the world’s best riders and we really want to make sure Scotland’s well represented.

“The more home support the better!”

Ben and fellow biker Ruaridh Cunningham showed off their skills at Edinburgh’s s Calton Hill against the dramatic backdrop of the Capital’s skyline.

Ruaridh added: “It’s a massive event and you can always count on it having the biggest crowds and the best pits on the circuit.”

Brave policeman’s charity walk after neck break

By Alexander Lawrie

A SCOTS policeman who broke his neck after falling 200ft down a mountain is planning a return to the hills to raise cash for the heroes who saved his life.

Michael Tunney, 44, has endured three years of intensive operations and physiotherapy, and has now managed to return to frontline duties with the British Transport Police.

The dad-of-three was climbing with his son, also Michael, near to the Bridge of Orchy when he slipped on ice and plummeted down a steep slope breaking his neck, hip, arm and seven ribs.

Michael jnr. managed to reach the emergency services by mobile phone, but as tried to reach his badly injured dad he too fell and broke bones in his hand before being knocked unconscious.

The wounded father-and-son climbing team were saved by a mountain rescue squad before being flown by helicopter to a Glasgow hospital.

Just over two years later Michael, from Dumbarton, is aiming to complete a mountain route known as the Scottish 4000ers – an arduous 103-mile trek from Aviemore to Fort William which encompasses all nine of the 4000ft peaks in Scotland.

And the fully-fit cop is hoping to raise an amazing £30,000 for the Oban and Arrochar Mountain Rescue Teams who saved him and his son after his life-threatening fall back in November 2006.

Michael said: “I can still remember the day very clearly. We’d had a great day out on the hills and were descending Beinn Achaladair when I slipped on ice.

“I fell about 200 ft and was stuck on a rocky outcrop – I was in pain but I didn’t realise at the time about the extent of my injuries.

“I could hear Michael calling out to me, but as he got nearer he also fell and broke his hand. Unfortunately, he also banged his head and was knocked out for a while.

“We both had mobile phones and managed to call 999 to get assistance. I knew we would be up there for a while, and as it turned out we were out on the mountain for over six hours.”

Michael jnr. was only 16 at the time at the time of the accident, but he heroically managed to guide the rescue teams and a helicopter from HMS Gannet to their position by using the light on his mobile phone.

Michael sen. had previously completed over 150 munros, and was so keen to get back on the hills he re-visited the scene of his accident in November.

He said: “I really wanted to get back there to see where it had all happened. It was a bit of a cathartic experience and I’m so glad I did it.

“It was really to say to myself that I’m back fully-fit and raring to go.

“I’ve got nothing but admiration for the rescue teams and the work they do, and this fund-raising trip is the least I can do to show my gratitude.

“I still keep in touch with the guys, and some of the team who saved us are actually going to come with me on two of the climbing days.”

Michael also revealed his climbing hero, Sir Chris Bonnington, is helping out with the campaign by supplying signed photographs which will be auctioned off to raise more cash.

The former-Met officer has now returned to full duties with the British Transport Police after a spell behind a desk and will complete his nine-day fundraising expedition in May.

Seal Pup Survives Walk To Town

By Alexander Lawrie

A TINY seal pup is lucky to be alive after dodging traffic while crossing a busy main road.

The pup is thought to be only 10 weeks old and was discovered by a member of the public after climbing up a steep 12ft embankment in Kinlochleven, just south of Fort William.

Scottish SPCA ambulance driver Dawna Connolly collected the pup and took him to the nearby Oban Sea Life Centre after the anonymous member of the public reported the stray.

But, the young seal’s ordeal was far from over as he then had to be transferred to the Middlebank Wildlife Centre in Dunfermline, Fife because the Oban centre was too full.

All of this year’s seals in the Scottish SPCA’s care are being named after Scottish Lochs – and officials at Middlebank have named the undernourished seal pup Leven.

He is approximately 15kgs, which is less than half the 40kg body weight that a normal seal of his age should be.

Colin Seddon, Manager at the Middlebank Wildlife Centre, said, “Leven is doing very well and after only three days he is now feeding himself, which is a good sign.

“Although he’s very light for his age, we’re confident that he will make a good recovery. We’ll care for him here until he is fully recovered and ready to be released back into the water.

“This is one of several adventurous seal pups that we have rescued this year. We had one just before Christmas in Methill. It had wandered away from the harbour and was found on a path at a nearby college.

“They are very inquisitive creatures and their curiosity can get the better of them. 

“Anyone that does discover a seal pup that has wandered far away from the water should not touch it, but contact the Scottish SPCA’s animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”