Darren Day’s key ring “could kill”

By Michael MacLeod

ACTOR Darren Day went on trial yesterday accused of carrying a potentially lethal weapon dubbed an “attitude adjuster” during a trip to Scotland last year.

The 41 year-old, dressed in a suit and open-necked shirt, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court accused of possessing a 5.5-inch metal rod referred to in police charges as a Kubotan.

The stubble chinned stage and TV star was first charged with having a weapon when stopped by police in the city’s Manor Place in the run up to Christmas last year.

Today (Tuesday) his legal team tried to have the case thrown out on the grounds that he thought the item – known as a Kubotan – was just a key ring and in no way a weapon.

But a Sheriff ruled there was a case to answer and expert witnesses were called to explain the difference.

MacAskill blasted over home-for-Christmas lags

By Cara Sulieman

ONE OF Scotland’s prisons is shutting down for Christmas as record numbers of inmates go home for the festive holiday.

Noranside – one of Scotland’s two open prisons – will empty as almost 200 prisoners qualify for the holiday week.

And those who aren’t given the time away from jail will be shipped 30 miles down to Castle Huntly on the outskirts of Dundee.

Whilst the Scottish Prison Service said that it was a cost-cutting measure, it has attracted criticism for the prison bosses and Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill.

Questions have been raised about the safety of the Scottish public if the prisoners – many serving life sentences – are let out.