The Herald

Revealed: The Gbp10m Police Computer Bungle System Three Years Late

MINISTERS and one of the country's most senior police officers were accused yesterday of presiding over the "disastrous" attempt to upgrade the computer system at the heart of criminal justice in Scotland. Requests under Freedom of Information legislation have revealed that the project is now seven times over budget and almost three years late.

Plea to Protect Scottish Notes

Nationalists launched a petition yesterday calling on the Treasury to leave Scottish banknotes alone. A consultation on banknote issue arrangements in Scotland and Northern Ireland was launched by the government last summer. Bank chiefs say the proposals, aimed at modernising the way money is issued in the UK, do not threaten Scottish notes.

Russia Backs Down Over Gas Blockade Supply Promise to Europe

RUSSIA staged a dramatic climbdown over its blockade of natural gas supplies to Ukraine yesterday, after it caused an uproar among European countries suffering from reduced imports. Gazprom, the state-controlled gas company, said full gas supplies to Europe would be restored by this evening by pumping an extra 95 million cubic metres through the contested pipeline running through Ukraine.

White Transit Van Focus Ofmurder Inquiry

DETECTIVES investigating the murder of a one-time loyalist gun runner yesterday carried out door-to-door inquiries in an attempt to trace his killer. Lindsay Robb suffered multiple wounds after being repeatedly stabbed on Hogmanay, as he sat in his car in a busy street in the east end of Glasgow.

Softly, Softly: Retraining Prison Officers to Lose Hardline Image Programmes Will Be Tailored to Offer Support for Offenders in Community

MOST professions have their stereotypes but for prison officers the image of toughtalking, hardline "screws" is more deeply ingrained than most. Fulton Mackay, the Scots actor, reinforced that reputation in the BBC television series Porridge, but now plans are emerging to train Scottish officers to run rehabilitation programmes and offer support to offenders inside and outside the prison gates.

No Free View for Fans Keen to See New Celtic Star

IT may have seemed like an unbeatable free opportunity to see a player heralded as one of Celtic's best signings make his debut. However, anyone hoping to catch a glimpse of Roy Keane from a mound of scrubland at the open end of Broadwood Stadium in Sunday's Scottish Cup third-round tie involving Clyde and Celtic is likely to be disappointed.

Divers Uncover Rare Species On Seabed As Climate Change Pushes Fish North

VOLUNTEER divers have discovered rare marine life in some of the most inaccessible habitats in the UK. Species such as fanshells, the most endangered mollusc in the UK, sea fan anemones and a starfish called strichastrella rosea have been found.

Police Plea After Attempt to Abduct Woman in Street

A NEW Year reveller was left badly shaken after a man attempted to drag her into his car, police said yesterday. The 45-year-old was walking in the Langside area of Glasgow early on Sunday, when the would-be abductor pulled up. She refused his offer of a lift as she went along along Battlefield Road, near Sinclair Drive.

British Hostage Tells of 'Sense of Guilt' Putting Parents at Risk Human Rights Worker Describes Kidnapping

A HUMAN rights worker last night spoke of her "sense of guilt" at putting her parents in danger as she spoke for the first time of their kidnapping ordeal in the Gaza Strip. Kate Burton, a 24-year-old Scot, was held hostage for twoand-a- half days, along with her parents Hugh, 73 and Helen, 55, known as Win.

Search for Elderly Woman Seen Lying On Headland

MOUNTED police, dog handlers and coastguards yesterday combed a stretch of seashore for an elderly woman reported to have been seen lying on a headland. A 40strong search party was launched on New Year's Day after concern had been raised by a mother and her daughter who were walking at the popular beauty spot in East Lothian. They spotted the woman - whom they described as in her 60s with grey curly hair, glasses and a red tartan hat - at around 4.20p. m on Sunday lying on the ground at Tynin...

Gbp1m Jacobean Art Collection Could Go On Display in Scotland

A GBP1M anthology of Jacobean art could go on display in Scotland for the first time. The 300-piece collection features glassware engraved with secret codes in support of Bonnie Prince Charlie and artwork by some of Europe's finest painters of the time.

White Transit Van Focus of Murder Probe Police Continue Door-to- Door Inquiries

DETECTIVES investigating the murder of a one-time loyalist gun runner yesterday carried out door-to-door inquiries in an attempt to trace his killer. Lindsay Robb suffered multiple wounds after being repeatedly stabbed on Hogmanay as he sat in his car in a busy street in the east end of Glasgow.

Tributes to Landlady Who Died at Hogmanay Party

THE family and friends of the manager who died in her own pub during a Hogmanay party have spoken of their heartbreak. Tracy Campbell stepped in to split up a fight at her Northern Lights bar in Aberdeen early on Sunday morning, but collapsed and died later .

Ministers Criticised for Pe Teacher Shortfall Hiring Target 'Missed by 70-Per Cent'

MINISTERS were accused last night of failing to tackle the basics of Scotland's childhood obesity epidemic after figures suggested they might miss their own target for hiring physical education teachers. The SNP said the Scottish Executive was heading for a 70-per cent shortfall on its goal of recruiting 400 extra PE teachers by 2009.

Climber Aims at Burns Supper Record

Linklater Tells of Vain Attempt to Save Valuable Art Destroyed in Fire

THE owner of a collection of Scottish art destroyed by fire spoke yesterday of the dramatic moments that led to the loss of the treasured paintings by Samuel Peploe, William MacTaggart and Alison Watt. Magnus Linklater, the former chairman of the Scottish Arts Council, described how fire engulfed his drawing room within moments of a Christmas tree igniting on New Year's Day.

From Glasgow to Shenzhen for Ex-Rector's Return to the Chalkface 6000 Miles On a Chinese Adventure for a Scot Whose First Love Is Teaching

AFTER 11 years as rector of one of Scotland's leading independent schools, David Comins might have been looking forward to a quiet retirement. Instead, he is embarking on a journey back to the chalkface, which is taking him 6000 miles across two continents.

Woman Killed in Car Crash

A woman was killed and a child injured in a two-car road crash yesterday. The collision happened at about 1.50pm on the A920 near Mains of Cairnbrogie in Aberdeenshire.

Robbery Victim Suing Hospital

A woman who was beaten and robbed at knifepoint in her home by masked raiders is suing a hospital who treated her injuries. A four-strong gang threatened to chop the fingers off Ruth Blair, 43, and her husband John, 52, during a nightime raid in March, 2004.

Mother and Son Saved From Fire

Firefighters rescued a woman and her five-year-old son who were found unconscious after a blaze in their home yesterday afternoon. The 28-year-old mother and the boy were discovered slumped behind the front door suffering from smoke inhalation.