The Herald

Murderer's Tagging Device Was Wrongly Set by Reliance

HUMAN error was to blame for a tagging blunder that left a teenager free to leave his home and murder a man, it emerged yesterday. The mistake by an official employed by Reliance, the security firm responsible for the system at the time, came to light as Scottish Executive figures revealed electronic tagging orders in Scotland reached a record level of 1335 in 2004/2005.

Snp Sweeps to V Ictory in by-Election Moray Majority Rises As Tory Hopes Dashed

THE SNP last night won a resounding victory in the Moray by- election brought about by the death of its MSP, Margaret Ewing. Nicola Sturgeon, the party's Holyrood leader, hailed the success with an increased majority of 6385 as a vindication of nationalist policies and boost for positive campaigning.

Alva Man Appears in Court Under New Terror Laws

A20-YEAR-OLD man appeared at a special court yesterday charged with offences under the Terrorism Act. Mohammed Atif Siddique appeared at a sheriff court sitting inside Falkirk Police Station. He was charged under Section 58(1b) of the Terrorism Act 2000.

An End to Sectarian V Iolence 'Is Within Our Grasp' Mcconnell Says Bigotry Can Be Wiped Out in a Generation

THE sectarian violence which has scarred Scotland for years could be eradicated in a generation, Jack McConnell said yesterday. The first minister's assessment came on the eve of an announcement by the Scottish Executive on its long battle against religious hatred.

Teenager Admits Killing 11-Year-Old E

ATEENAGER has admitted killing an 11-year-old boy who suffered from cystic fibrosis, a court heard yesterday. The 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Manchester Crown Court accused of murdering Joe Geeling, from Bury, Greater Manchester, last month.

Blair Makes It Business As Usual As Ministers Fight to Stay

TONY Blair battled to maintain an appearance of business as usual yesterday after a week in which three of his most senior ministers were left fighting for their political lives. He admitted that Wednesday had not been a great day for the government, but ridiculed comparisons with the Black Wednesday of 1992 when the pound's slump on the currency markets triggered massive interest rate hikes and job losses.

Kerelaw Costs Loom

SCORES of alleged victims of abuse at a troubled residential school could now sue for damages worth more than GBP1m, a lawyer predicted yesterday. Officials at Glasgow City Council fear there could be a significant financial fall-out from the convictions of two workers at Kerelaw School in Ayrshire. Art teacher Matthew George and care worker John Muldoon were found guilty of physically and sexually abusing children in their care.

Teenager Admits Killing 11-Year-Old Boy Who Suffered From Cystic Fibrosis

ATEENAGER has admitted killing an 11-year-old boy who suffered from cystic fibrosis, a court heard yesterday. The 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Manchester Crown Court accused of murdering Joe Geeling, from Bury, Greater Manchester, last month.

Disney Mobiles Ring Alarm Bells with Watchdog

WALT Disney is to launch a UK mobile phone service aimed at families with children. The cartoon giant said yesterday that its product would help parents cap the amount youngsters spend on calls. It would also allow them to customise their children's handsets so that they only dialled preapproved phone numbers.

Mutsu, the Shy Inspiration for a Prince

WHERE is he? Mutsu Potsane was Prince Harry's first thought as he returned to Mants'ase Children's Home. The boy, now aged six, was the inspiration for today's venture. Mutsu and his two siblings were taken to the home after their mother died and their father disappeared.

Why a Criminal Was Free to Kill Surge in Number Escaping Jail | Claims Measure Is a Soft Option | Effectiveness in Doubt Surge in Number Escaping Jail | Claims Measure Is a Soft Option | Effectiveness in Doubt Callum Evans' Murder Conviction has Raised Questions About the Use of Tagging, Says Allan Laing

THEY call them high-tech handcuffs and, for some, they are a sensible alternative to prison. For others, however, electronic tagging is dismissed as a soft option for criminals who should, by rights, be behind bars. One thing is certain. If Callum Evans had been in jail on the night of October 15, last year, then 23-year-old John Hatfield would be alive today.

'Of Course I'm Happy with It. I Would Be in the Jail Without It' Case Study

JIM doesn't need convincing about tagging. Sixteen and with a history of violence, the grey plastic bracelet around his leg has kept him out of trouble.

Tag Is Just Part of Process to Reclaim Lost Lives

JIM doesn't need convincing about tagging. Sixteen and with a history of violence, the grey plastic bracelet around his leg has kept him out of trouble.

First Minister Wants Councils to Issue More Asbos

THE first minister yesterday criticised councils for not using many of the new powers created to tackle antisocial behaviour. Jack McConnell said there had not been enough authorities using dispersal orders to break up gatherings of troublemakers, or closure orders for sealing up buildings used by criminals.

How It Works

1. Offender has a half-inch wide plastic bracelet secured round his ankle which carries a fibre optic cable. On the bracelet is a radio transmitter, about the size of a GBP2 coin. 2. The offender also has a base unit, similar in size to a telephone answering machine, in his/her home that detects the signal from the radio transmitter.

Motorists Pay Out Re Co Rd Gbp14m in Tickets 200,000 Speeders Caught

SCOTTISH motorists paid out a record amount in fines and penalties last year, according to new figures. The number of drivers caught speeding broke through the 200,000 mark for the first time and the revenue generated from parking tickets reached a record high of more than GBP14m.

Down but Not Out

TOUR DE FORCE: Twenty years after providing the soundtrack for countless teenage crises, Morrissey last night demonstrated that pop stars need not disgrace themselves by growing old. The former Smiths frontman was performing in front of a sell-out crowd at Glasgow's Carling Academy, reviving well-known anthems written in the 1980s with guitarist Johnny Marr as well as songs from his latest album, Ringleader of the Tormentors and You Are the Quarry, the album that preceded it.

Mcconnell Adds Fuel to Clarke Fire Pressure Over Prisoners Grows On Beleaguered Home Secretary

JACK McConnell yesterday expressed his frustration and anger over the potential impact of the foreign prisoner scandal on public safety in Scotland, doing nothing to ease the pressure on Charles Clarke. Today, the beleaguered home secretary is expected to release further details about the hunt for 900 released foreign nationals, in particular the convicted murderers, rapists, and paedophiles. More bad news could be fatal to Mr Clarke's cabinet future.

Ministers Under Pressure to Save Bank Jobs

MINISTERS came under pressure yesterday to stop dozens of jobs at the National Savings Bank in Glasgow being transferred to India. Local MPs met Ivan Lewis, economic secretary, earlier this week to express concern that managers wanted to move clerical functions despite not having enough staff to cope with a backlog of work at Cowglen.

First Minister Takes Tough Line On Hard Drugs

JACK McConnell yesterday took the highly unusual step of criticising serving police officers, attacking those who believe hard drugs should be legalised. The first minister spoke out the day after some rank-andfile officers in the Scottish Police Federation called for legalisation of drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine.