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Published 4 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A man who raped a woman in Moray has been jailed for more than four years. Army veteran Robert Millar, 34, was earlier convicted of the 2020 rape in Elgin as well as assault and two charges of threatening or abusive behaviour. At the High Court in Edinburgh, Sheriff Norman Mcfadyen told Millar he was guilty of a number of serious offences. Millar was sentenced to 50 months in prison and will then be under supervision for a further three years. He attacked his victim at an address in Elgin in June 2020 when he seized her by the neck before subjecting her to a repeated rape ordeal. Millar assaulted her again in September that year. The judge described the rape offence as "plainly the most serious", but said the other offences were also significant. Defence counsel Bill Adam said that Millar continued to … [Read more...] about Man who raped woman in Elgin jailed for more than four years

Published 5 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Thalidomide survivors living in Scotland will receive lifelong financial support, the Scottish government has announced. Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said he hoped the commitment to provide grants would reassure those affected. There are 50 known survivors of the banned pregnancy drug living in Scotland, most now in their 60s. They are among thousands born with limb deformities after their mothers took thalidomide while pregnant. The drug was commonly used to treat morning sickness from 1958 to 1961. In 2013 the Scottish government committed £14.2m to help survivors over a 10-year period, with the money going on health and living costs. Ministers have now extended that agreement, with grants to be allocated to survivors on a needs basis, as assessed by the Thalidomide Trust. Mr Yousaf said: "This … [Read more...] about Thalidomide survivors in Scotland to get lifelong support

Published 6 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Acclaimed TV chef Monica Galetti has been named as the first Scottish Seafood Ambassador. The former MasterChef Professionals judge will lead the way in encouraging UK hospitality venues to offer more Scottish seafood. Seafood from Scotland has created the new Sea the People campaign, which Galetti will head as ambassador. She is an advocate for Scottish-sourced seafood and is calling for more fish and shellfish to be sold in the UK. In preparation for the role, Galetti travelled around Scottish costal communities to speak to people behind the industry, including fishermen, salmon farmers, fish smokers, oyster growers, processers and entrepreneurs. 'Collective responsibility' Galetti said: "Sea the People is vital because, at its heart, the Scottish seafood industry depends on these men and women to … [Read more...] about Monica Galetti is Scotland’s first Seafood Ambassador

Published 12 November 2020 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing People will not be allowed to drink alcohol on trains or at stations in Scotland from Monday, ScotRail has announced. It said the temporary policy had been put in place to support public health measures and keep people safe during the Covid pandemic. ScotRail said the new measures would help to maintain the physical distancing required while travelling. They said it would support greater use of face coverings. The operator said the measures would be reviewed continuously as government guidelines change. They said the restrictions would be supported by the British Transport Police, who would assist railway staff where required to ensure that people followed the guidance. The consumption of alcohol is currently banned on ScotRail services between 21:00 and 10.00. David Lister, ScotRail … [Read more...] about Alcohol ban introduced on Scotland’s rail network

Published 18 October 2020 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A blanket ban on alcohol on ScotRail services could be imposed as part of Covid safety measures. The travel operator told BBC Scotland the measure is being considered, although the firm said they were "not in a position" to confirm details. The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers said the move would be "problematic" but "welcomed". It comes after the first minister said more stringent travel rules "need to be considered" . Train passengers 'expected' to wear face coverings No 'return to normal' when pubs reopen Mick Hogg, regional organiser for the RMT, said despite recent restrictions, rail staff were still facing "increased" anti-social behaviour over the weekend. "There has always been a concern with anti-social behaviour and assaults on staff, it's an ongoing issue. … [Read more...] about Covid in Scotland: ScotRail ‘considering’ alcohol ban on trains

Published 17 October 2020 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Football fans have been urged to abide by local lockdown restrictions and watch the Old Firm match at home. The managers of Celtic and Rangers have joined First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in appealing to their supporters to help curb the spread of the virus. Fans who flout rules on households mixing are "putting others at risk", one public health chief warned. And those hoping to watch the game in Blackpool pubs were warned there would be a high police presence in the town. Celtic are due to play Rangers at Celtic Park at 12:30. The Scottish Premiership clash will take place in an empty stadium due to coronavirus restrictions which ban crowds from watching live sport. It will be televised but pubs in the central belt are currently closed due to the pandemic. During the Scottish government daily … [Read more...] about Covid in Scotland: Fans urged to watch Old Firm match at home

Published 15 October 2020 comments Comments Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Nicola Sturgeon has warned that Scotland will not return to normal when the current restrictions on pubs and restaurants expire later this month. Licensed premises across the central belt were temporarily closed last week, with tough restrictions placed on those elsewhere in the country. The rules are due to expire on 26 October - but Ms Sturgeon said this would not signal a return to normality. The ban on visiting other people's homes will also remain in place. And the Scottish government is to introduce a multi-tier system of alert levels similar to that now in force in England, which could potentially see venues in areas with coronavirus outbreaks remain closed. Ms Sturgeon was giving a video statement to MSPs as she announced that a further 1,351 cases of Covid-19 and … [Read more...] about Covid in Scotland: No ‘return to normal’ when pubs reopen

Published 20 December 2012 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing More than £14m has been pledged by the Scottish government over the next 10 years to help thalidomide survivors. There are 58 known survivors in Scotland, many of whom are now in their 50s. The fund aims to help meet health needs as people grow older, enabling them to adapt their homes and buy specialist equipment which will allow them to live independently. Thalidomide victims in England are to benefit from a £80m government grant. Scottish Health Secretary Alex Neil said the thalidomide generation was facing rising care bills. "We know that the survivors of thalidomide have faced decades of coping with the disabilities caused by the drug," he said. "This means that as they age they are more likely to need assistance to continue to live as independently as possible, for as long as possible, and this … [Read more...] about £14m pledge to help thalidomide survivors in Scotland

By Christopher Sleight & Andrew Picken Published 3 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Coronavirus pandemic Scotland's health service has been under severe pressure for years but the impact of Covid-19 has seen staff shortages, bed blocking and longer waits for both emergency and outpatient treatment. Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has warned recovering from the pandemic is going to take the NHS in Scotland years not months. Here are five charts illustrating the challenges being faced by the health service. In the early days of the pandemic the number of people going through the doors of Scotland's emergency departments plummeted as demand slowed in the face of the lockdown restrictions. A&E attendance levels are now broadly in line with what was happening pre-pandemic but, crucially, the waiting times for people in … [Read more...] about The state of Scotland’s NHS in five charts

Line Of Duty: Detectives interview Terry Boyle after arrest Sign up for FREE now and never miss the top politics stories again SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info The Scottish actor plays Detective Sergeant Steve Arnott in Line Of Duty , which airs its second episode tonight. Prior to his role in the BBC crime drama , he had leading roles in Monarch Of The Glen, The Nest and Wee Man. But the 36-year-old has also hit the headlines for being a vocal supporter of Scottish Independence in recent years. Related articles Line of Duty's Vicky McClure addresses dispute with co-stars on set Is Kate Fleming sleeping with DCI Davidson? Compston described the atmosphere surrounding Scotland’s vote to … [Read more...] about Line Of Duty’s Martin Compston ‘walking on air’ at thought of independent Scotland