Axel Piper

A paving company boss from Fife has pleaded guilty to four charges of fraud, after taking deposits from customers for work he never completed. James Henderson, 58, scammed his victims out of more than £20,000 between July 2021 and September 2022. Victims slam Henderson as a “class A rogue” Henderson, from Kingskettle, Fife, was exposed by Fife Council’s Trading Standards team, who submitted a report to the Procurator Fiscal. He had been due to face trial this month, but admitted to the charges at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court. One of his victims, Lorraine Brown, 60, said Henderson was “so plausible” when…

The condition of the roads in the UK is deteriorating due to climate change and budget cuts. Potholes and cracks are becoming more frequent and severe, causing damage to vehicles and increasing the risk of accidents. But there are ways to reduce the impact of driving on the roads and the environment by making small changes to our habits and choices. The Problem of Potholes Potholes are caused by water seeping into the cracks in the road surface and freezing and thawing, which expands and contracts the asphalt. This weakens the road structure and creates holes that can grow larger…

A two-year-old boy from Scotland died suddenly in his sleep, leaving his family devastated and heartbroken. The toddler, who was healthy and happy, had no signs of illness or distress before he went to bed on February 23, 2023. A tragic loss The boy’s parents, who live in Glasgow, found him unresponsive in his cot the next morning. They called an ambulance, but paramedics could not revive him. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The boy’s mother, who did not want to be named, said: “He was our world, our everything. He was always smiling and laughing, he loved…

A nurse who sexually assaulted four female patients while they were unconscious after surgery has been sentenced to 12 years in prison. Paul Grayson, 51, filmed the victims under their underwear and touched them inappropriately at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield. A ‘horrific breach of trust’ Grayson, who had more than 25 years of experience as a charge nurse, pleaded guilty to 23 offences of voyeurism, sexual assault, taking indecent images of a child and possessing indecent images of children. He also admitted to filming five female colleagues using the toilet at the hospital, and two other young women…

Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is facing criticism for deleting her WhatsApp messages with senior government officials and advisers during the Covid-19 pandemic. The UK Covid Inquiry has revealed that Sturgeon did not retain any informal communications related to her management of the health crisis, despite promising to do so in 2021. Inquiry questions Sturgeon’s transparency and accountability The UK Covid Inquiry, which is examining the official response to the pandemic, has asked for all relevant communications from government officials to be handed over for examination. However, Sturgeon, who stepped down as First Minister and SNP leader in March 2023,…

A businessman who subjected his ex-wife, a former police officer, to a campaign of harassment and abuse has been spared jail. Russell Laing, 50, made his former partner Paula Nicholas’ life a living hell, forcing her to flee Scotland and move to another country. A history of violence and control Laing and Nicholas met in 2014 and married in 2016. Nicholas, who had served as a police officer for 16 years, quit her job to join Laing’s business. However, she soon discovered that Laing was a violent and controlling man, who would assault her, monitor her phone and social media,…

XL Bully Rescuer Fears for Dogs’ Safety Kerryanne Shaw, the founder of All Bullie Charity Rescue, has decided to keep two of her XL Bully dogs in kennels for life, rather than risk rehoming them to the wrong owners. She made this choice after a shocking incident in East Kilbride, where a similar dog was shot dead by police on Sunday morning. Shaw, who has been planning to open a Scottish XL Bully sanctuary in Angus, said she was heartbroken by the video of the shooting, which showed the dog being killed in front of a primary school. She said…

The Grampian Transport Museum in Alford is preparing for its 2024 season with one of its most popular events, AllFord at Alford, which will take place on Sunday, August 18. The event will showcase Ford vehicles from different eras and regions, with a special focus on the 60th anniversary of the iconic Ford Mustang. The Mustang: A Legend of the Road and Screen The Ford Mustang was launched in 1964 as an affordable and stylish sports car for the American market. It soon became a cultural phenomenon, appearing in movies, TV shows, music, and racing. The Mustang has gone through…

A 23-year-old man from Aberdeen has lost his life in a horrific three-car collision on Saturday afternoon. The victim, identified as Cameron Pearson, was pronounced dead at the scene on the B9077 South Deeside Road near Maryculter, Aberdeenshire. Family pays tribute to ‘best big brother’ Cameron’s family and friends have been left devastated by his sudden and tragic death. They have paid tribute to him as a loving son, brother, uncle, and friend who had a bright future ahead of him. His mother, Tracey Pearson, said: “Cameron was the best big brother to his two sisters and adored his niece…