The Herald

Tycoon 'Spent Plundered Pension Fund Cash On Family'

AN entrepreneur lavished cash on his family after ransacking more than pounds-2m from a Scottish workers' pension fund, a court was told yesterday. Bjorn Stiedl, 44, a Danish businessman, used some of the money to pay off his wife's mortgage while pensioners were left penniless, jurors were told.

Straw Predicts Eu Vote Problem Uk Referendum May Depend On French, Says Foreign Secretary

JACK Straw yesterday cast doubt over whether Britain would hold a referendum on the EU constitution, admitting for the first time there would be a "problem" if France voted against the treaty. The foreign secretary's comments - just moments after Douglas Alexander, the Europe minister, suggested the referendum would take place anyway - plunged the government's position into disarray on the day opponents of the treaty launched their campaign for a "no" vote.

Pure Dead Brilliant: But Would You Be Dying to Fly From This Airport?Prestwick Launches New Image with an Old Saying

ITis a gallus move that could transport a famous snippet of Glesga patter as far afield as the streets of Paris, Rome and Milan. But time will tell if associating death with air travel was wise. Glasgow Prestwick airport will today unveil its new slogan which will greet arrivals to the country and adorn its worldwide marketing campaigns and website.

'If It's Funny and Different It's a Good Thing'

NECKS craned, the huddle of Parisian holidaymakers stare up at the three words, pausing only to whisper: "Pur mort brillant?" "Pure dead brilliant. It's a phrase from a Scottish television programme, " I explain in pidgin French, before adding: "A comedy programme."

Cancer Victim Who Inspired Others

JOHANNA MacVicar, whose campaign to raise the profile of the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust inspired thousands of Scots and won the admiration of people across the world, has died. She was 27. Ms MacVicar, from Renfrewshire, had battled leukaemia for 10 years.

Chaplin's Little Tramp Suit, the Gift of a Scots Comic, Fetches Pounds-3500 at Auction

ATRAMP suit worn by Charlie Chaplin, which was given to him by an obscure Glaswegian comic, was sold at auction for more than pounds- 3500 yesterday. The comedy legend was given the famously battered suit by Billie Ritchie in 1914, when Chaplin was unhappy with his act as a country squire.

Solway Trial Collapses in Fury Families Bitter As Judge Clears Trawler Owner of Manslaughter

THE families of seven fishermen who died when the Solway Harvester sank were devastated yesterday when the case against the vessel's owner collapsed. Richard Gidney, the millionaire former skipper of the Solway Harvester, was cleared of seven counts of manslaughter in connection with the sinking of the 21-metre scallop dredger.

Apple a Day Could Bring an Ipod Your Way, Pupils Find

PUPILS will be rewarded with Xbox consoles and iPods for eating healthily under Scotland's first incentive scheme for school dinners. The initiative, which is similar to supermarket loyalty card schemes, involves children using a swipecard to accumulate points for buying healthy food which are then traded for prizes.

'Nanny State' Row On Reusable Nappies Executive Accused of Wasting Pounds-650,000 On Scheme

NAPPIES were at the centre of a political row yesterday after a new report called into question a Scottish Executive green policy which tries to encourage people to use reusable versions rather than disposables. A report by the Environment Agency into the environmental impact of the different types of nappies found there was little or nothing to choose between them.

Treasure Trove Unearthed

ARCHAEOLOGISTS have unearthed a "national treasure trove" of artefacts in the Loch Lomond national park. The finds include a number of roundhouses believed to be from a neolithic or bronze age settlement, and an iron age settlement covering more than 1000 square yards.

Kindness of 'Angel' Spreads

A mystery benefactor who delivered envelopes containing money to houses in Edinburgh's Duddingston area appears to be extending the range of generosity. A couple living in the Canongate area of the city are now reported to have found an envelope with a pounds-20 note through their letterbox.

Export Ban On Precious Vase

A temporary export ban has been placed on a vase once housed in a Scottish ancestral home. The Meissen porcelain piece was made in 1740 as a gift for a European royal and until recently was kept at Arniston House, Midlothian, the ancestral home of the Dundas family.

First Skipper Who Became Owner of Solway Harvester Tragedy Stalked Company Bought Over by Gidney

AS the first skipper of the Solway Harvester, Richard Gidney knew the scallop dredger better than most. Born in Arran, he studied farm management before beginning work with Jack Robinson Trawlers, the Grimsby-based firm that owned the Harvester.

Union Pleads for Health Board

Scotland's largest healthcare union is calling for troubled Argyll and Clyde health board to be spared from abolition. Unison, which represents more than 7000 authority workers, said disbanding the board would be divisive, disabling and demoralising.

Teenagers Build for Their Future

Sixteen trainee builders in their teens are to join the building industry after creating a solid foundation by building a house together. The apprentices, who had no previous experience, took on the challenge of creating a technically-advanced house.

'She Was One of the Bravest People I Ever Met' Johanna Dies at Age of 27

IN the end, her body could only stand so much. After battling leukaemia for more than 10 years, Johanna MacVicar, from Renfrewshire, has lost her fight for life.

Number in Pews Is a Miracle, Says Next Moderator

THE number of people attending church services on Sunday mornings is a "wonderful miracle", the Church of Scotland's incoming moderator said yesterday. The Rev David Lacy, moderator-designate of the Kirk's general assembly, said there were twice as many people in the pews as on the terraces at football matches.

Owner Bought Stolen Alcohol

A leading restaurateur was yesterday jailed for two months for buying pounds-20,000worth of stolen alcohol. Daniel Wencker, 54, owner of Daniel's Bistro in Leith, Edinburgh, bought the high quality wine, whisky, port and champagne for just pounds-550.

Teaching Union Warns of 'Discipline Meltdown'

TEACHERS are coping with a range of aggressive behaviour from pupils, including being spat at, kicked and slapped, the head of one of Scotland's teaching unions will claim today. In a speech to the annual conference of the NAS/UWT, Ian Clydesdale, its president, will warn of a "discipline meltdown" in the classroom.

Us Aircraft Carrier Will Be On G8 Duty Off West Coast

AN American aircraft carrier carrying hundreds of Marines will be anchored off the west coast during the G8 summit. And an unprecedented road, rail and air curfew could plunge Scotland into travel chaos, it was revealed yesterday.