Daredevil show amazes crowds

By Alexander Lawrie

THE WORLD’S oldest Wall of Death has arrived in Scotland – and is currently thrilling audiences with death-defying stunts.

Owners, the Messham family, have been risking life and limb to entertain the public for the best part of a century.

The daredevil family travel all over the world amazing crowds with their display of motorcycle tricks and fancy riding wherever they go.

And the two teenage riders, Jake, 18, and Junior, 16, are carrying on the family tradition which has seen the Messham’s become a revered name in the world of stunt motorcycling.

The intrepid duo are the fourth generation of stunt-riders, and the pair still use the same 600cc Indian Scout motorcycles that their family originally used in the 1930’s.

And the 20ft high solid Oregon pine wall unit they use will celebrate its 80th birthday this year.

Currently, the pair are thrilling audiences with their daily show at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh.

Charles Winter, compere of the exciting exhibition, admits it can be frightening riding the wall, but that with the proper training the riders are perfectly safe.

He said: “As well as being the oldest, this Wall of Death is the smallest and steepest race track in the world, and when the riders hit their top speed it is really exciting for the crowd.

“It’s also a rare opportunity to witness one of the world’s oldest fairground attractions still in operation – it really is a step back in time.

“The kids absolutely love it and it’s a great chance for the whole family to witness something totally unique.

“It looks so dangerous, but I can assure you the riders all receive hours of training before they are allowed anywhere near the wall.

“This is our second year in Edinburgh and so far the audiences have been wonderful.”

Mr Winter, 55, also takes part in the Messham’s Globe of Death where the riders career around a large metal globe at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.

Families can catch the Messham’s Wall of Death show in Edinburgh until January 12.

Biker jailed for knife attack on friend

By Paul Thornton

A BIKER who scarred his best friend for life in a frenzied knife attack has been jailed for over two years.

David Jackson, 43, stabbed and slashed Donald Morrison with a kitchen knife after an all-day drinking session in Edinburgh.

Mr Morrison, who had known the motor cycle enthusiast for over 20 years, was left with life threatening injuries following the assault in and around his own home.

Jackson, who was jailed for three years for another attack 12 years ago, claims his type-two diabetes was to blame for his vicious behaviour despite downing several pints of lager as well as vodka during a drinking binge.

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court Jackson was caged for 28 months after pleading guilty to assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement and danger of life.

Fiscal depute Siobhan Monks told the court how the two men had met through a biker club which they were both members of and had known each other for over 20 years.

On the day of the attack, September 20 this year, Mr Morrison had invited Jackson and his partner to have a day out in the capital with him and his wife.

They spent the day boozing around the Leith area of the city before returning to Mr Morrison’s Halmyre Street home.

Miss Monks said: “The accused and his girlfriend started bickering about something and the complainer told the accused not to speak to his girlfriend like that.

“The accused responded by seizing hold of Mr Morrison’s head and trying to poke him in the eye. He then began struggling and fighting with Mr Morrison and this moved from the living room to the common close and eventually outside the block of flats.”

But during the arguing, Jackson had grabbed a blade from a knife block in the kitchen of the flat and launched into a vicious rage with the weapon.

Miss Monks said: “The accused produced a knife and repeatedly struck him and stabbed him on his face, head, neck, abdomen and back. The complainer managed to escape into the back garden of the flats and the accused was locked outside the main entrance by a security door.”

During the attack police had received a 999 call and they arrived to see Jackson walking down the street and throwing the knife into a near-by bush.

They arrested, interviewed and charged the vicious thug, who replied: “It’s absolute rubbish.”

Mr Morrison was raced to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where doctors treated what they described as “life threatening injuries” to his head, forehead, back, neck and body.

As well as slashes to his neck and back, a 6cm deep stab wound on his side had penetrated the internal lining of his abdomen.

Incredibly, despite the massive injuries, no vital organs had been damaged by the attack and he was able to return to work in a fortnight, although he has been left scarred for life by the attack.

Shaven-headed Jackson, who wore a Harley Davidson t-shirt in the dock, was locked up and appeared in private at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in October this year before admitting the attack yesterday.

His solicitor, George More, said that the garden worker has “no real recollection” of the incident. Mr More said this, in part, could be put down to his insulin dependant diabetes from which he had suffered from for 18 years.

He said: “He had obviously drunk too much and had not eaten anything all day.

“He can’t remember the detail but he is horrified at his conduct to a friend.”

Sheriff Lillian Patrick said his previous conviction for a violent attack “made this offence all the more serious”.

She said: “You have pled guilty to s very serious offence and the consequences are tragic. That your friendship is over after an evening of madness.”

Sheriff Patrick sentenced Jackson, from Clackmannan, Clacks, to 28 months in prison, reduced from 42 months because of his early plea.

Police patrol on electric bikes 246

By Karrie Gillett

POLICE officers will soon be patrolling the Scottish Parliament on electric-powered bikes.

The small, almost-silent motorcycle can be spotted touring the streets around the parliament.

And Lothian and Borders Police hope that the eco-friendly scooters – which have a top speed of 62 mph – will soon replace petrol patrol cars – covering up to 30 miles every day.

Dignan McCulloch, fleet manager of the force, said it was important to cut down on emissions due to the high amount of miles covered by officers on the beat.

He said: “We have been looking at ways to downsize the fleet and reduce the carbon footprint. One of the ways of doing this is to look at electric bikes with zero emissions.

“The officers are quite keen to give it a try and those that have tested it are really happy with its performance.

“It’s early days for us but it all looks positive.”

The £6,500 American-produced bike is powered by a battery which can travel about 60 miles before needing recharged.

The battery takes around three hours to charge and can be plugged into any household socket.

Lothian and Borders have only bought one of the Vectrix electric maxi-scooters but are hoping to roll the scheme out to train more officers.
 
The force then aim to have a police presence on the bikes at Edinburgh Airport and the Royal Infirmary.

Mr McCulloch said: “It looks the part and we are looking forward to putting the bike into service and exploring other opportunities.

“There are a lot of pedestrians around the parliament and I think they should be pleased to see that we do have an interest in our carbon footprint while also taking our duties very seriously.”

A Scottish Parliament spokeswoman said: “We are delighted the Scottish Parliament Police Unit has acquired this electric scooter, one of the most environmentally friendly vehicles on the market.

“The Parliament continually aims to improve its environmental performance and this new scooter is a great example of the measures that can be taken to reduce our carbon footprint.”