Lothian & Borders Police rugby team played a special match yesterday against a Scotland legends team to raise money for Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland. Money from tickets sales and from a variety of fundraising activities on the day raised over £8,000.
Scotland legend Scott Hastings gets to grips an opponent. (Picture: Thomas Brown)
The match was arranged in arranged in remembrance of former officer Steve Cully, who died aged 41, due to a heart defect and his wife Rosie, who has already raised in excess of £20,000 for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, gave a moving speach about her late husband. Both of Steve’s kids, Josh (4) and Hannah (7) were at the match and they have the task of kicking the match off.
Ballons were set off into the sky before kick off. (Picture: Thomas Brown)
Around 2,100 spectators turned up despite the rain to watch the match and got behind both teams.
Corries legend Ronnie Brown performed the National Anthem prior to kick off. (Picture: Thomas Brown)
Prior to kick off Corries legend Ronnie Brown performed the National Anthem supported by the Police Pipe Band.
Corries legend Ronnie Brown will be performing live this Sunday at a charity Rugby match at Fettes Police Station.
Police officers are set to line up against a team of Scottish rugby legends in a charity match arranged in remembrance of former officer Steve Cully, who died aged 41, due to a heart defect. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the charity Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland.
Officers from Lothian and Borders Police will take on a team of ex-internationals, including Scott Hastings, Doddie Weir, Gary Armstrong, and Gregor Townsend.
Steve, who was brought up in Belfast, was a keen rugby player who played club rugby at Murrayfield RFC, Edinburgh Wanderers RFC, Murrayfield Wanderers, Stewarts Melville FP, Edinburgh Academicals and represented Ireland U 21’s, Irish Exiles and the British Police.
Steve joined Lothian and Borders Police in 1994 and worked in a number of roles before fulfilling his ambition to become a firearms officer.
He called time on his rugby career in 2005, but took up long-distance running, and in 2009 he was part of a team of Lothian and Borders officers who took part in the gruelling ‘Marathon des Sables’, a series of marathons taking place over a week in the Sahara Desert, raising thousands of pounds for charity.
His love for rugby and charitable nature inspired his colleagues to organise Sunday’s match, which will be attended by his wife Rosie (39) and two children Josh (4) and Hannah (7).
Ronnnie Brown wil lsing the National Anthem prior to kick off.
Sergeant Roddy Bainton is among the former friends and colleagues who have helped organise the event.
He said: “Not only will spectators be given the unique opportunity to see legends from the game in action once again, but there will be a whole range of family-friendly events, including a balloon race, prize draw, bouncy castle, an inflatable assault course courtesy of the Army, and kids’ rugby coaching, involving many of the former pros.
“We are delighted that Ronnie Browne from the Corries has agreed to sing the national anthem before the game, and The Lothian and Borders Police Pipe Band will also be there to help provide the soundtrack for the day.
“I would encourage any rugby fans and their families to come along and join us for what is sure to be a great day, and help us raise money for a worthy cause.”
The match takes place at 2pm on Sunday. Tickets for the game cost £5, with free admission for under-16s.
And just incase you have forgotten the words we have included a video for you.
Tickets can be purchased in advance from:
First XV, 6/8 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 5JZ
Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, Head Office, Third Floor, Rosebery House, 9 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh EH12 5EZ
Or
Email: stevecullymemorial@hotmail.co.uk
Speeding drivers caught every two minutes during police campaign
Police chiefs are ‘shocked and dismayed’ following a three-day crackdown on speeding drivers. A total of 1837 drivers were detected breaking the speed limit during the 20 -22 July campaign across Scotland – equivalent to one every two minutes.
In addition a further 62 drivers were reported for driving dangerously or carelessly during the campaign organised by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland.
Among the worst offenders were a 21-year-old man travelling at 114mph in Aberdeenshire, a woman travelling in Edinburgh at 71mph in a 40mph limit with three children in the vehicle, and a man detected at 95mph through road works on the M90 in Fife.
About 12.37pm, Friday 20 July, Road Policing officers stopped a Mercedes ML300 on Cultins Road, Edinburgh as the driver was driving whilst using her hand held mobile telephone. Enquiry revealed that the driver’s driving licence had been revoked earlier this year for an accumulation of 12 penalty points. The vehicle was seized under the terms of section 165 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the driver reported to the Procurator Fiscal. The current value of the vehicle is in excess of £30,000. About 9.50pm on 22 July, Road Policing Officers stopped a 17-year-old from Tranent on the A1 near to Wallyford for speeding. The speed was recorded at 101mph, the driver was reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
Chief Superintendent Derek Robertson from Lothian and Borders Police, who is the ACPOS lead on Casualty Reduction, said: “I am shocked and dismayed at the level of speeding and inappropriate driving which my fellow officers have dealt with during the three days of the campaign. The links between excessive speed and collisions causing death or serious injury are clear and those who flout the speed limits put themselves and others at risk.
“Almost 115,000 speeding offences were recorded in Scotland in 2010/11 which represents over a third of all motor vehicle offences. Speeding is dangerous, costly and unacceptable. This has only reaffirmed the intention to continue our focus on irresponsible drivers, to make sure speed limits are acknowledged and the roads are made safer for everyone in Scotland”.
“Remember that speeding carries a minimum penalty of a £60 fine and three penalty points on your driving licence however, if you are convicted of dangerous driving, you will lose your licence for at least 12 months and you may be ordered to re-sit your driving test.”
Speeding drivers caught every two minutes during police campaign
Police chiefs are ‘shocked and dismayed’ following a three-day crackdown on speeding drivers. A total of 1837 drivers were detected breaking the speed limit during the 20 -22 July campaign across Scotland – equivalent to one every two minutes.
In addition a further 62 drivers were reported for driving dangerously or carelessly during the campaign organised by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland.
Among the worst offenders were a 21-year-old man travelling at 114mph in Aberdeenshire, a woman travelling in Edinburgh at 71mph in a 40mph limit with three children in the vehicle, and a man detected at 95mph through road works on the M90 in Fife.
About 12.37pm, Friday 20 July, Road Policing officers stopped a Mercedes ML300 on Cultins Road, Edinburgh as the driver was driving whilst using her hand held mobile telephone. Enquiry revealed that the driver’s driving licence had been revoked earlier this year for an accumulation of 12 penalty points. The vehicle was seized under the terms of section 165 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the driver reported to the Procurator Fiscal. The current value of the vehicle is in excess of £30,000. About 9.50pm on 22 July, Road Policing Officers stopped a 17-year-old from Tranent on the A1 near to Wallyford for speeding. The speed was recorded at 101mph, the driver was reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
Chief Superintendent Derek Robertson from Lothian and Borders Police, who is the ACPOS lead on Casualty Reduction, said: “I am shocked and dismayed at the level of speeding and inappropriate driving which my fellow officers have dealt with during the three days of the campaign. The links between excessive speed and collisions causing death or serious injury are clear and those who flout the speed limits put themselves and others at risk.
“Almost 115,000 speeding offences were recorded in Scotland in 2010/11 which represents over a third of all motor vehicle offences. Speeding is dangerous, costly and unacceptable. This has only reaffirmed the intention to continue our focus on irresponsible drivers, to make sure speed limits are acknowledged and the roads are made safer for everyone in Scotland”.
“Remember that speeding carries a minimum penalty of a £60 fine and three penalty points on your driving licence however, if you are convicted of dangerous driving, you will lose your licence for at least 12 months and you may be ordered to re-sit your driving test.”
Police are tonight appealing for witnesses after a 23 year old woman was discovered in Pilrig Park at 6.00am this morning with serious facial injuries.
Police enquiry is ongoing following incident in Pilrig Park.
A Police Spokesperson said “A woman aged 23 was found this morning in Pilrig Park with serious facial injuries. She was taken to the ERI for further treatment and our enquiries are ongoing. We would ask anyone who was in the ae at the time or has any information to contact us on 0131 311 3131 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
An 81 year old driver had a lucky escape in Stockbridge yesterday when the car he was travelling in flipped over and landed on its roof.
A Police spokesperson confirmed “The 81 year old driver of the vehicle was taken to hospital with minor injuries. We were called the to the accident at 9.40 and the road remained closed until 11.15”.
The drink drive message is still failing to register with too many motorists, according to Lothian and Borders Police. Senior police officers have spoken out spoke out following the conclusion of the ACPOS (Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland) Summer Drink and Drug Drive Campaign, saying it is clear the dangers of driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs continue to be ignored.
During the two-week campaign (June 4 -18) coordinated by ACPOS, police forces across Scotland carried out high profile and unmarked patrols to target those risking their lives and the lives of others on Scotland’s roads.
Over the last seven days, 118 people were reported for drink driving, an additional five were detected whilst unfit through drugs and 18 vehicles were seized for consideration of forfeiture by the court. This brought the two week campaign total to 229 motorists reported for drink driving, a slight reduction on last year’s campaign (238 in 2011).
In one incident on 11 June, officers attended at Hermiston Gait, Edinburgh where a woman was seen by members of the public slumped over the steering wheel of a car in the car park. She provided a roadside breath sample of over SIX times the legal limit and was arrested, She later refused to provide a sample at the station. She was cautioned and charged, held for court and forfeiture of her vehicle was requested. The accused had earlier purchased alcohol at the supermarket and had been drinking in the car for some time.
In another incident a lorry driver transporting a shipment of beer on the M9 near Stirling was stopped and provided a breath sample of more than three times the legal limit.
Young drivers (17 to 25 years old) continue to feature and this is a cause for concern. One 23 year old male who has only held his driving licence for two weeks was found driving whilst over the legal drink drive limit in Kirkcaldy.
A 25 year old female provisional licence holder who was reportedly travelling at speeds in excess of 100mph in Aberdeen failed to negotiate a roundabout crashing her vehicle. She was taken to hospital where she later provided a positive breath test. As well as drink driving she has also been charged with dangerous driving and driving licences offences.
Deputy Chief Constable Kate Thomson of Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary is the Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland (ACPOS) lead for drink driving and anti social use of the roads. She said: “Of course it is pleasing to note there has been a reduction in numbers of motorists found to be driving while under the influence of drink or drugs. But this is a very slight decrease year on year and I would caution against any form of complacency. It is of particular concern that so many young drivers think it is appropriate to drink and drive. Over the summer spell there are many events and occasions where people are tempted to enjoy an alcoholic refreshment. There is no problem with that as long as they do not then choose to get behind the wheel of their car.”
She continued: “Motorists have to take responsibility for their actions, the safety of their passengers and other road users. Although the campaign is over, police officers across Scotland will continue to be vigilant and you will be caught if you drink and drive. I would encourage the public who suspect anyone of driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs to contact the Police or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Measures are being introduced which could see first-time drink-drivers in Scotland having their car seized.
Drivers who refuse a breath test for analysis without reasonable excuse could also have their vehicles taken from them.
The measures mark the launch of the annual police crackdown on dangerous drivers over the festive period which took place at the Scottish Parliament on Monday morning.
Last year 7,563 people in Scotland were caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, an average of around 20 offenders every day.
Now first-time drink-drivers who provide a sample for analysis which is three times the legal limit or more, and those who refuse a breath test, could have their vehicles taken away for good after conviction.
That would be in addition to receiving a criminal record, a fine and a 12-month driving ban.
The plans come after a forfeiture scheme introduced in 2009 to deal with repeat offenders.
It was extended in summer 2010 to include drug-drivers.
A total of 702 repeat offenders have been caught and 155 vehicles forfeited, with a further 18 vehicles seized pending court decisions.
According to the latest figures, it is estimated that just over one in seven deaths on Scottish roads involve drivers who are over the legal alcohol limit.
A man was punched to the ground and kicked after questioning a group that were drinking in his close.
The 62-year-old went into the common stair in Ferry Road Drive at around 7.30am on Sunday.
He found a group of three men and a woman sat in the close drinking and asked them what they were doing there.
One of the men punched him in the face and the victim fell to the ground before another man started kicking him. The group then left the close.
The victim went to St John’s Hospital where he was treated for a broken jaw and reported the attack to the police on Tuesday.
Lothian and Borders Police are appealing for witnesses as they try and find the men responsible.
The first suspect is described as a white man aged around 20, around 5ft 10in tall and well built with short, fair hair. He was wearing a sweatshirt and grey jogging bottoms at the time of the attack.
The second man is also white and around 20 years old. He is around 5ft 8in tall with a slim build and dark brown or black hair.
A police spokesman said: “This was an unprovoked and vicious assault that resulted in a man suffering a painful and serious facial injury.
“Given the time of day, there may have been a number of people in the streets on their way to work and anyone who remembers seeing anything suspicious in the Ferry Road Drive area on Sunday morning is asked to contact police immediately.
“Similarly, if anyone can assist in identifying those responsible for this attack, they are also asked to get in touch.”
Anyone with any information can contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131, or the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
THE number of crimes recorded in Lothian and Borders has fallen by more than seven per cent during the last year, with around 5000 fewer offences being reported. New figures showed that sex crimes and crimes of dishonesty both fell between last April and March, but violent crime rose.
Police
Police chiefs welcomed the overall reduction in offending after revealing the 7.2 per cent drop, which followed on from an 8.3 per cent decrease the previous year.
The force also recognised the rise in violent crime, which included a soaring number of murders, and pledged to ensure those responsible were brought to justice. For the 11-month period between last April and February, violent crime climbed by 15 per cent across the force area, including a nine per cent rise in serious assaults. In Edinburgh during the same period, crimes of violence increased by 11 per cent, but there was an overall five per cent decline in reported offences. Across the city, sex crimes were down by 13 per cent while crimes of dishonesty were reduced by three per cent.
Assistant Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said: “We are pleased to report a 7.2 per cent drop in overall recorded crime over the last year.”The launch of our Community Commitment, which puts community policing firmly at the heart of what we do, has given added impetus to the progress in reducing crime.”
Police launched 11 murder investigations in the Capital between last April and March, compared with six for the previous year. ACC Livingstone added: “While our figures reflect a rise in the most serious types of violent crime, it is relevant to point out that incidents of minor assaults – by far the most common type of assault – have dropped significantly over the past year”
Councillor Paul Edie, the city’s community safety leader, said: “We still have to crack the alcohol problem which has always been at the root of violent crime. But I’m very pleased with the overall drop in crime in Edinburgh.”
