Blue lights nabbed after paramedic’s vehicle is broken into

By Christine Lavelle

A VOLUNTEER paramedic who had his emergency response vehicle broken into and around a thousand pounds worth of equipment stolen says he feels “violated.”

Andrew Kerr, 35, from Broxburn, West Lothian, was visiting a friend in Edinburgh when the window of his 4×4 Honda CRV was smashed and raided on Brunswick Road in Leith.

The thief then took off with his blue flashing lights and time saving SatNav system, while also causing damage to the vehicle.

It meant Mr Kerr, who gives up around 12 hours of his time per week, was off the road for seven days, unable to answer emergency calls.

19-year-old dead after being hit by two cars on M8 carriageway

By Christine Lavelle

A YOUNG woman was killed after being struck by two cars on the M8, as she walked along the carriageway near the Edinburgh bypass.

The 19-year-old pedestrian was heading east-bound on the carriageway close to Hermiston Gait retail park at around 11pm on Tuesday.

She was hit by a vehicle traveling east-bound, the force of which propelled her onto the other side of the road and into the path of a second car.

The motorway was closed overnight by police between junctions one and two and only reopened at 6am the following morning.

Woman forced out of Jaguar by intimidating thief

By Cara Sulieman

A TERRIFIED woman was threatened and forced out of her Jaguar before the thief drove away, leaving her stranded and shaken.

The carjacking happened as the 51-year-old driver stopped her X-Type at the junction of Comiston Springs Avenue and Pentland Terrace in Edinburgh on Wednesday night.

A skinny man with crooked teeth approached the car, before threatening the driver and forcing her out the vehicle at around 6.20pm.

She was left shaken but unhurt as the criminal sped away.

Although the driver never saw a weapon, it was implied that the crook had one.

Funeral of tragic teen

By Cara Sulieman

THE FUNERAL of one of the 17-year-old boys killed in a horror car crash last Friday is to take place this weekend.

James Whitecross was driving a Renault Clio with his friend Daniel Neil, also 17, who was in the passenger seat when they collided head-on into another car in Macmerry, East Lothian.

Friends and family created a memorial at the scene, decking it with flowers, card and football strips.

The service for James will take place in Tranent Parish Church this Saturday at 9.45am before moving on to Tranent Cemetery at 10.30am.

Boy racers stopped in their tracks

By Cara Sulieman

A PAIR of boy racers were stopped in their tracks after being caught speeding in West Lothian as part of a new crackdown.

The 22 and 25-year-olds were caught racing on a road in Livingston as part of Operation Opel which is targeting young drivers aged between 17 and 25 – the most likely group to be involved in a serious accident.

Part of a joint operation between Lothian and Borders Police, West Lothian Council and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, a further 11 drivers have also been given warnings since June.

They included a 24-year-old man who was caught drink driving in Bathgate, West Lothian, just weeks after passing his test and an 18-year-old boy who was caught travelling at twice the speed limit in Linlithgow.

Contractors cleaning up streets targeted by bin men

Rubbish piling up in the capital

By Cara Sulieman

THE BIN strike in Edinburgh is turning ugly with claims contractors brought in to deal with the mess have been the target of aggression.

Workers for Shanks, who cleaned up the city ahead of the Gathering at the weekend, have complained about a driver shouting “scabs” at them from a passing car and bosses being abused by text.

As the industrial action enters its second month and workers threatening to strike right through the festival, it is feared the situation could get worse.

One worker at the company’s headquarters in Milton Keynes called the police after being abused about strike breaking, with officers still investigating.

Motorists to be careful of dodgy cars

The stolen Audi

By Cara Sulieman

DETECTIVES are investigating a spate of dodgy car deals after Scots trying to drive a bargain ended up being fleeced.

Seven people in the Lothian and Borders Police area alone have been stung after buying cars which turned out to be stolen.

Police said all the vehicles had been sold through motor trade magazines like Auto Trader with deals concluded in the Birmingham and Manchester areas heavily involved.

In the latest incident a buyer travelled down from Edinburgh to Manchester to look at an Audi A3 they saw advertised on the Auto Trader website.

Jaguar burnt out by hooded yob

What's left of Kenneth's Jaguar

By Cara Sulieman

A HOODED arsonist is being hunted after setting fire to a £22,000 Jaguar sports car parked just feet away from the home of an elderly couple.

Kenneth McIlroy, 52, who owns the car, needed oxygen on the scene after suffering from shock as he watched his “pride and joy” engulfed in flames.

A firebomber smashed the car window before dropping in a bottle of flammable liquid and setting it alight.

Neighbours said they saw a hooded suspect run down the street before getting into another car that screeched off.