Former Bay City Roller Pay McGlynn beaten by car thug

A FORMER member of the Bay City Rollers was viciously beaten by a thug through his car window just days after getting out of hospital following a heart attack.

Pat McGlynn, 52, was waiting at traffic lights about 200 yards from his home in Liberton, Edinburgh, when he noticed a man approach his driver’s-side window.

Mr McGlynn said he unsuspectingly rolled down the window to see what the man wanted, but was instantly punched on the face and head.

He said: “It came out of no-where.

“He kept hitting me but I am still quite weak after the heart attack, normally I would have tried to fight him off but I just couldn’t.

Woman who fought off armed robber receives award

Sheila Jeffrey was presented with an award for her bravery

By Cara Sulieman

A WOMAN who fought of an armed robber who tried to stab her was given an award for bravery today.

Sheila Jeffrey was working in the small post office in Yetholm, near Kelso in the Borders in September 2008 when Patrick Loyden demanded cash.

But 72-year-old Sheila – who has been at the post office since 1984 – struggled with Loyden even though he was brandishing a knife.

Loyden received nine years for assault and robbery in March this year for the attack.

Today she and the other four people who tried to stop the thief were presented with meritorious awards from Lothian and Borders Police for their bravery.

Lockerbie bomber won’t let public see his health records

By Cara Sulieman

THE LOCKERBIE bomber has banned his health reports from becoming public.

After being released with just three months to live last August, Abdelbaset al Megrahi has to provide East Renfrewshire Council with a monthly update on his health.

But his lawyers have been asked to prevent the public from getting their hands on the reports, which are used to keep to Scottish Government informed of the Libyan’s progress.

Opposition politicians have been calling for the information on his health to be made public. They argue that the public have a right to know what’s happening.

Scottish police to use spy planes

By Cara Sulieman

SCOTTISH police forces could soon be using unmanned spy planes to keep tabs on citizens in a bid to crack down on crime.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles have already been trialled by Strathclyde Police who used one in rescue operations in rural Argyll.

And Scotland’s largest police force is keen to be at the forefront of the new technology, which is being looked at by all forces in the UK.

The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland has joined forces with their English counterpart to form the Unmanned Aerial Systems Steering Group, who meets regularly to discuss the use of the planes, and report to the Home Office.

“I Want to Make My Dead Mum Proud”

By Lauren Crooks

BRITAIN’S Got Talent sensation Susan Boyle has vowed to make her dead mum proud – by singing for the Queen.

She revealed that is now her biggest ambition after proving to be the smash-hit in last night’s show.

And the 48-year-old virgin said that her success is all down to her beloved mum Bridget who urged her to do something with her singing talent – even making her join a choir aged 12.

Devoted Catholic Susan – who wowed judges with her performance of I Dreamed a Dream – spent years caring for her elderly mum before she died two years ago.

Pub’s leprechaun gets kidnapped

Patrick on his magical trip with Obama

By Cara Sulieman
A PUBLICAN got a shock when his lucky leprechaun went missing – and he received a ransom note in return.

Mike Stuart, 25, runs the Black Bull Inn in Inverurie and always makes an effort to spruce the place up for St Patrick’s Day.

It was only a few days before the big day when he woke up to find his leprechaun, Patrick, missing and a ransom email sat in his inbox.

Didn’t notice anything

Mike said: “On the Saturday night when he was taken we were really busy so I didn’t notice anything.

“The next day I woke up to this email. I was still half asleep and just thought it was some sort of promotion. It never really clicked.

“But when I went to open the pub I noticed Patrick was missing and it all made sense.”

Leprechaun Liberation Army

The email stated that the Leprechaun Liberation Army had “liberated a leprechaun” from the Black Bull and wanted an improvement in his working and living conditions as well as a reward for his return.

It read: “Patrick has asked that to prove your commitment to him you put up some posters offering a reward for his safe return and also perhaps get your customers to fill a pot of gold which Patrick would then donate to charity.”

Mike instantly put up posters in the bar and started raising cash for the charity appeal.

Barack Obama

As proof that Patrick was being treated well, the kidnappers sent a number of pictures, including a few that showed him on his “magical leprechaun” trip to the US where he met Barack Obama and some Vegas showgirls.

Mike and his regulars raised £200 from the appeal through collections and pub quizzes. They even showed a filmed appeal during one night’s entertainment.

And due to their hard work Patrick was returned in time to join in the St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Twelve years loyal service

Mike explained that Patrick was an important family friend after twelve years loyal service.

He said: “My mum used to run the bar at the local golf club and she used Patrick to decorate the bar for St Patrick’s Day.

“When I took on the Black Bull two years ago I inherited him. He’s an important part of our life.

“But we raised a lot of money for charity and we’re pleased to have him back.”

Boozy night in the pub

Although it seemed like a carefully planned operation, the kidnap was in fact the result of a boozy night in the pub.

Martin and Angela Matchett, the couple behind the Leprechaun Liberation Army, explained that the kidnap was spontaneous and they had to make it up as they went along.

They said: “We just had a few drinks and the idea came to us and before we knew it our son Liam had Patrick stuffed up his jumper and we were home with him.

“Then the idea grew arms and legs and we decided to see how far we could take it.

“It turned out the family had had him for years so it was lucky we didn’t go with our first idea to cut his finger off and send it with the ransom.

“Mike did think it was us that took Patrick and it was hard to keep straight faces when we were in the pub.”

Guinness gets a boost from the Scots

Cara Sulieman

SCOTLAND is bucking the trend and drinking more of Ireland’s favourite drink, despite plummeting sales.

Guinness reported a sharp decline in sales in both Ireland and the UK earlier this month, with the lowest sales in ten years.

But Scottish pubs aren’t feeling the pinch and say sales of the black stout have never been so good.

And they expect to sell more than ever today as thousands take part in St Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Paddy’s day effect

Iain Pert, operations director of Festival Inns who own Biddy Mulligans, a popular Irish pub in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket said that the sales of the brew have gone up in the past year.

He said: “We have seen more people buying Guinness in the last year. And they always go up around this time of year.

“We’re having a busy few days, and with the rugby last Saturday and St Patrick’s Day today we’re expecting sales to rocket.

“One of the factors is the increase in the number of Irish visitors – the Euro is really strong at the moment so they’re coming across to get a better deal.

“I think everybody is worried about the recession but we’re not seeing a lack of customers just yet.”

It comes as the British Pub and Beer Association announce beer sales are down by 8.3 per cent – to a low that hasn’t been seen since the 1940’s.

Drop in sales

A number of factors are being blamed for the slump including the credit crunch and knock-on effect from the smoking ban.

The Irish company announced a decline in sales in Europe, with Ireland being hit the hardest, seeing a 7 per cent drop.

And the UK was no better, with a three per cent decline in sales of the black stuff.

The company is currently celebrating its 250th anniversary by trotting out golden oldies from their famous advertising stable, and it will be hoping for a surge on St Patrick’s Day today.

Not failure

Despite the drop in sales, the brand is still bringing in the same amount of money as they used to due to price increases and ad campaigns.

And Brian Duffy, global brand director for the company insisted the sales were not an indication of failure.

He said: “Because the trend is negative doesn’t mean it is not a place where we want to be successful and where success is important.”