thedailyrecord--2020-01-08--Coatbridge baby is first of the new decade born at Lanarkshire's maternity unit

LITTLE first foot Zachary John Coyle waited for the perfect moment to make his extra-special entrance into the world – becoming the first baby of the new decade to be born at Lanarkshire ’ s maternity unit .
The bouncing baby boy was born at 9.09am on January 1 , making it an especially happy new year for delighted mum Lisa , of Coatbridge .
He weighed in at 7lb 4oz when he made his big arrival at Wishaw General Hospital only a few hours after the bells rang out to herald the start of 2020 .
Zachary took his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his mum waiting for nearly two weeks throughout the festive period before he made his entrance at the beginning of the new decade .
Lisa , of Langloan , told the Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser : “ He was due on December 22 , so I ’ d been going to be induced on New Year ’ s Day as I was 11 days overdue by then .
“ I went into labour on Hogmanay ; everything probably took about 20 hours from the first pain until Zachary arrived , but from when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything happened quite quickly.
” She added : “ It ’ s quite surprising that he ’ s the first baby of 2020 – all the family is excited that he ’ s here and he ’ s been getting lots of cuddles .
“ At first I thought he ’ d be early and would arrive before Christmas ; when that was over I thought maybe it would be Boxing Day , but after that I just expected to need to be induced .
“ I didn ’ t think Zachary was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he then came a bit earlier on January 1 in the end.
” Lisa has an elder son , Sean , aged 11 – who is already enjoying helping to look after his younger sibling .
She added : “ Zachary is doing fine – all he ’ s doing is sleep !
Sean is a fantastic big brother already .
“ He ’ s great with Zachary and loves the responsibility .
”

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LITTLE first foot Zachary John Coyle waited for the perfect moment to make his extra-special entrance into the world – becoming the first baby of the new decade to be born at Lanarkshire’s maternity unit.
The bouncing baby boy was born at 9.09am on January 1, making it an especially happy new year for delighted mum Lisa, of Coatbridge.
He weighed in at 7lb 4oz when he made his big arrival at Wishaw General Hospital only a few hours after the bells rang out to herald the start of 2020.
Zachary took his time over making his bow, keeping his mum waiting for nearly two weeks throughout the festive period before he made his entrance at the beginning of the new decade.
Lisa, of Langloan, told the Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser: “He was due on December 22, so I’d been going to be induced on New Year’s Day as I was 11 days overdue by then.
“I went into labour on Hogmanay; everything probably took about 20 hours from the first pain until Zachary arrived, but from when my waters broke at the hospital, everything happened quite quickly.”
She added: “It’s quite surprising that he’s the first baby of 2020 – all the family is excited that he’s here and he’s been getting lots of cuddles.
“At first I thought he’d be early and would arrive before Christmas; when that was over I thought maybe it would be Boxing Day, but after that I just expected to need to be induced.
“I didn’t think Zachary was going to come until then, but he then came a bit earlier on January 1 in the end.”
Lisa has an elder son, Sean, aged 11 – who is already enjoying helping to look after his younger sibling.
She added: “Zachary is doing fine – all he’s doing is sleep! Sean is a fantastic big brother already.
“He’s great with Zachary and loves the responsibility.”


thedailyrecord--2020-01-08--Hundreds of homes and community hub planned for Airdrie village

A NEW development of up to 523 homes plus a retail and community hub on land near the Airdrie village of Stand has been granted planning permission .
The 36 hectares of open space off Stirling Road , stretching between the A73 ’ s roundabouts with Greengairs Road and Raebog Road , are set to be transformed into a development of five distinct “ neighbourhoods ” .
It will also include four retail and community units in a gateway crescent overlooking a village green , while a V-shaped area of ancient woodland on the site is to be retained and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the south of the site .
The application from developers Macrocom was approved by a full meeting of North Lanarkshire Council ’ s planning hearings committee .
Commenting on the new Airdrie development , council leader Jim Logue said it would be “ just the latest in a series ” of similar major housebuilding projects across North Lanarkshire .
He said : “ Work is well underway on the first phase of a new 500-house development in Carnbroe , and in October we granted planning permission for 750 new homes in Muirhead .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is being finalised , identifies sufficient land for more than 21,000 new homes ; and as Scotland ’ s largest local authority landlord , we are committed to delivering 5000 new affordable council homes by 2035 .
“ Across North Lanarkshire , there is a growing demand for new homes , with the number of households predicted to rise by 14,000 – around a tenth – by 2041 .
“ These multi-million pound investments in our area underline our ambition for North Lanarkshire to become the place to live , learn , work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told in a report how the vacant site at Stirling Road was previously part of the Drumshangie opencast coal mining site , which was restored 14 years ago ; and that “ planning permissions exist for a potato processing facility to the north-east , and energy from waste plant to the south-east ” .
The site is due to be reclassified for housing under the emerging new North Lanarkshire local development plan , with planners advising that the major application “ will contribute to the housing land supply , is a sustainable form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the area , and will not undermine greenbelt objectives ” .
Work supporting the new development would include creating two new junctions from the A73 , located to the north and south of Stand , plus two-lane approach upgrades at both nearby roundabouts ; as well as new footpaths and cycleways and an upgraded southbound bus stop and layby .
A new access road is also proposed under the energy plant permission adjoining the north-eastern boundary – and council officials add that , under the Glasgow regional city deal , the authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigating the potential route of the pan-Lanarkshire orbital link , which is likely to be located nearby ” .
Councillors were also told that the plans include “ substantial efforts to provide pedestrian connectivity in and around the site ” , including upgraded footways on existing verges at Greengairs Road and the A73 .
Public information events were held in October 2018 and 2400 local residents and businesses also received information leaflets about the proposal .
Five objections were received , citing concerns about increased traffic on an already-busy road with poor pavements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pedestrian path to the main road via the centre point of the homes at Stand ; plus concerns about the area ’ s wildlife and impact on local utilities and amenities .
A report for councillors noted that the roundabout lane upgrades would mean “ the road network will be able to cope ” , and that a traffic island will be provided to assist pedestrians who are crossing ; and that the new path network , linking to Stand , would give access to woodland walks for existing and new residents , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Glenmavis away from the A73 ” .
The developer will be asked for a contribution of £850,000 to address capacity issues arising from the development at catchment primaries Greengairs and St David ’ s .

reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk (Judith  Tonner)

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A NEW development of up to 523 homes plus a retail and community hub on land near the Airdrie village of Stand has been granted planning permission.
The 36 hectares of open space off Stirling Road, stretching between the A73’s roundabouts with Greengairs Road and Raebog Road, are set to be transformed into a development of five distinct “neighbourhoods”.
It will also include four retail and community units in a gateway crescent overlooking a village green, while a V-shaped area of ancient woodland on the site is to be retained and an eight-hectare habitat management area created at the south of the site.
The application from developers Macrocom was approved by a full meeting of North Lanarkshire Council’s planning hearings committee.
Commenting on the new Airdrie development, council leader Jim Logue said it would be “just the latest in a series” of similar major housebuilding projects across North Lanarkshire.
He said: “Work is well underway on the first phase of a new 500-house development in Carnbroe, and in October we granted planning permission for 750 new homes in Muirhead.
“Our local development plan, which is being finalised, identifies sufficient land for more than 21,000 new homes; and as Scotland’s largest local authority landlord, we are committed to delivering 5000 new affordable council homes by 2035.
“Across North Lanarkshire, there is a growing demand for new homes, with the number of households predicted to rise by 14,000 – around a tenth – by 2041.
“These multi-million pound investments in our area underline our ambition for North Lanarkshire to become the place to live, learn, work, invest and visit.”
Councillors were told in a report how the vacant site at Stirling Road was previously part of the Drumshangie opencast coal mining site, which was restored 14 years ago; and that “planning permissions exist for a potato processing facility to the north-east, and energy from waste plant to the south-east”.
The site is due to be reclassified for housing under the emerging new North Lanarkshire local development plan, with planners advising that the major application “will contribute to the housing land supply, is a sustainable form of development in keeping with the character of the area, and will not undermine greenbelt objectives”.
Work supporting the new development would include creating two new junctions from the A73, located to the north and south of Stand, plus two-lane approach upgrades at both nearby roundabouts; as well as new footpaths and cycleways and an upgraded southbound bus stop and layby.
A new access road is also proposed under the energy plant permission adjoining the north-eastern boundary – and council officials add that, under the Glasgow regional city deal, the authority is “at an early stage of investigating the potential route of the pan-Lanarkshire orbital link, which is likely to be located nearby”.
Councillors were also told that the plans include “substantial efforts to provide pedestrian connectivity in and around the site”, including upgraded footways on existing verges at Greengairs Road and the A73.
Public information events were held in October 2018 and 2400 local residents and businesses also received information leaflets about the proposal.
Five objections were received, citing concerns about increased traffic on an already-busy road with poor pavements; objections to the creation of a pedestrian path to the main road via the centre point of the homes at Stand; plus concerns about the area’s wildlife and impact on local utilities and amenities.
A report for councillors noted that the roundabout lane upgrades would mean “the road network will be able to cope”, and that a traffic island will be provided to assist pedestrians who are crossing; and that the new path network, linking to Stand, would give access to woodland walks for existing and new residents, plus “a safer link to Greengairs and Glenmavis away from the A73”.
The developer will be asked for a contribution of £850,000 to address capacity issues arising from the development at catchment primaries Greengairs and St David’s.


thedailyrecord--2020-01-08--Scots council blasted over 'disgusting' claim that 'suicidal thoughts are not an illness'

A Scottish local authority have been slammed after claiming that suicidal thoughts are `` not an illness '' .
North Lanarkshire Council have come-under fire for the 'disgusting ' message posted on Facebook at around 8pm on Tuesday January 7 .
The update claimed the `` strength and personality '' of those struggling with mental health issues would help them `` get through it '' .
It has since been taken down after being widely condemned by the online community .
It read : `` Suicidal thoughts are not an illness .
`` Everyone has an individual story and worries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personal to you , your background , your experiences and your history .
`` Your strength and personality will get you through it .
By telling and sharing your story you can help yourself and others .
`` Never give up on yourself or those you care about . ''
Furious social media users called for the post to be deleted , including people living with mental health problems and families who have experienced suicide .
One mother told how her daughter had recently taken her own life , with another person who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post was 'not what she needed to read ' .
Sandra Lindsay wrote : “ Words fail me .
As a mother who has lost a beautiful daughter through suicide I struggle to believe someone could think that this post is OK. ” While May-Elizabeth Black commented : “ Not what I wanted to read I struggle every day and this post makes me feel worse . ''
And Izzy Conway posted : `` I had to read this twice , I couldn ’ t believe the wording , thought I had misread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Words fail me .
This is beyond shocking and where ’ s a link or a number for folk to contact if they are struggling ?
What purpose does this post serve exactly ?
Disgraceful . ''
Former councillor and SNP staffer Rosa Zambonini was among those outraged by the post , saying it “ infers that those who are a victim of suicide are not victims of a health disorder ” .
She added : “ If your mind is broken it is no different to any other part of your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ To say it ’ s your past , your personality is to infer that it ’ s a “ strength ” of character issue and a stigma which charities ( with years of experience ) are trying desperately to remove.
” A spokesperson for Suicide Prevention North Lanarkshire said : “ We apologise if our social media post about suicide prevention caused upset .
`` This was certainly not the intention and we fully understand the sensitivities around this subject and that many people may experience mental ill health and suicidal thoughts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We are committed to offering support and advice through our suicide prevention campaign to anyone concerned about suicide or worried about someone with suicidal thoughts.
” The Samaritans can help you today if you are not ok The Samaritans is available 24/7 if you need to talk .
You can contact them for free by calling 116 123 , email jo @ samaritans.org or head to the website to find your nearest branch .
You matter .

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A Scottish local authority have been slammed after claiming that suicidal thoughts are "not an illness".
North Lanarkshire Council have come-under fire for the 'disgusting' message posted on Facebook at around 8pm on Tuesday January 7.
The update claimed the "strength and personality" of those struggling with mental health issues would help them "get through it".
It has since been taken down after being widely condemned by the online community.
It read: "Suicidal thoughts are not an illness.
"Everyone has an individual story and worries of their own. It’s personal to you, your background, your experiences and your history.
"Your strength and personality will get you through it. By telling and sharing your story you can help yourself and others.
"Never give up on yourself or those you care about."
(Image: Facebook)
Furious social media users called for the post to be deleted, including people living with mental health problems and families who have experienced suicide.
One mother told how her daughter had recently taken her own life, with another person who "struggles every day" saying the post was 'not what she needed to read'.
Sandra Lindsay wrote: “Words fail me. As a mother who has lost a beautiful daughter through suicide I struggle to believe someone could think that this post is OK.”
While May-Elizabeth Black commented: “Not what I wanted to read I struggle every day and this post makes me feel worse."
And Izzy Conway posted: "I had to read this twice, I couldn’t believe the wording, thought I had misread it. I hadn’t.
"Words fail me. This is beyond shocking and where’s a link or a number for folk to contact if they are struggling? What purpose does this post serve exactly? Disgraceful."
Former councillor and SNP staffer Rosa Zambonini was among those outraged by the post, saying it “infers that those who are a victim of suicide are not victims of a health disorder”.
She added: “If your mind is broken it is no different to any other part of your anatomy and you must seek help.
(Image: North Lanarkshire Council)
“To say it’s your past, your personality is to infer that it’s a “strength” of character issue and a stigma which charities (with years of experience) are trying desperately to remove.”
A spokesperson for Suicide Prevention North Lanarkshire said: “We apologise if our social media post about suicide prevention caused upset.
"This was certainly not the intention and we fully understand the sensitivities around this subject and that many people may experience mental ill health and suicidal thoughts at any point in their life.
"We are committed to offering support and advice through our suicide prevention campaign to anyone concerned about suicide or worried about someone with suicidal thoughts.”
The Samaritans can help you today if you are not ok The Samaritans is available 24/7 if you need to talk.
You can contact them for free by calling 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or head to the website to find your nearest branch. You matter.


thedailyrecord--2020-01-08--Over 30 new council houses to be built at West Lothian town

Thirty-three new-build houses are set to be built for West Lothian Council , at their new development at Brucefield , West Calder .
The development , to be delivered by Barratt Homes , consists of two-bed cottage flats , two-bed bungalows and three-bed terraced houses and is anticipated to be complete by summer 2020 .
Via the council ’ s allocation policy , these homes will be allocated to current tenants on the transfer list where possible , which helps to house people in accommodation suitable for their needs while freeing up more properties for allocation to the general waiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reach their delivery targets quicker and provide much needed affordable homes in West Lothian .
Similarly , Bellway have completed 14 new homes for the council at their development in Broxburn at the site of the old Vion Factory , more commonly known locally as Halls of Broxburn , which are all now let .
Executive councillor for services for the community George Paul said : “ Council homes are in short supply across the country and these new houses will help provide local people with an excellent place to live .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliver 3000 affordable homes from 2012 to 2022 and this will be delivered in a number of ways including working with developers to secure high-quality , affordable properties for housing tenants in West Lothian .
”

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Thirty-three new-build houses are set to be built for West Lothian Council, at their new development at Brucefield, West Calder.
The development, to be delivered by Barratt Homes, consists of two-bed cottage flats, two-bed bungalows and three-bed terraced houses and is anticipated to be complete by summer 2020.
Via the council’s allocation policy, these homes will be allocated to current tenants on the transfer list where possible, which helps to house people in accommodation suitable for their needs while freeing up more properties for allocation to the general waiting list.
This helps West Lothian Council reach their delivery targets quicker and provide much needed affordable homes in West Lothian.
Similarly, Bellway have completed 14 new homes for the council at their development in Broxburn at the site of the old Vion Factory, more commonly known locally as Halls of Broxburn, which are all now let.
Executive councillor for services for the community George Paul said: “Council homes are in short supply across the country and these new houses will help provide local people with an excellent place to live. The council has set an ambitious target to deliver 3000 affordable homes from 2012 to 2022 and this will be delivered in a number of ways including working with developers to secure high-quality, affordable properties for housing tenants in West Lothian.”


thedailyrecord--2020-01-08--Wishaw man who had two transplants wants to spread importance of organ donation

A Wishaw man who underwent a second kidney transplant in September has shared what it has meant to him and his family , in a bid to highlight the importance of organ donation .
Richard Brown , 70 , from Netherton , spoke of how the worry has lifted after spending seven years on dialysis and the freedom he now has thanks to his donor .
Richard was first diagnosed with a kidney condition called IgA nephropathy in 2011 after blood tests taken by his GP showed his kidney function was low , and started dialysis in 2012 .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , two years after he was listed for transplant , but a number of problems including Richard contracting pneumonia led to the transplant failing and the kidney needing to be removed .
Richard ’ s daughter , who was due to get married in Cyprus the following year , cancelled her wedding as there were no guarantees he would be able to travel , instead reorganising the celebration in Scotland .
Richard was relisted and started back on dialysis , treatment that continued for another five years until he received another call in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife Carol ’ s 39th wedding anniversary .
Richard said : “ Dialysis was just something I got on with .
I didn ’ t spend my days thinking about when I would get a transplant .
I knew I was on the list , and just put it out of my mind and tried to get on with things .
“ Going back on dialysis after the first transplant failed did feel like more of a disruption .
I had to go three mornings a week , and then would sleep all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days out my life .
Nothing could be spontaneous and there were a lot of restrictions on my diet .
“ When the call came in September , I went straight to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow that morning .
I wasn ’ t worried about the surgery but I was very aware it could be cancelled at any time .
But the kidney arrived , I was able to have an hour ’ s worth of dialysis and was then taken to theatre .
“ When I came round , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have this new kidney .
I just knew life from that point would be so much easier and my recovery is going well .
“ It ’ s still early days , but the worry has lifted , and after all those years of doing dialysis , I feel like I have freedom for the first time in a long time .
“ Christmas has been a special time , being able to spend it with the family without worrying about dialysis or watching what I ’ m eating or drinking .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my donor and I ’ m very , very grateful for what I ’ ve been given.
” Prior to his transplant , Richard ’ s wife Carol raised funds for Kidney Research UK at Monklands Hospital , selling angels and tablet made by two transplant patients while Richard was on dialysis .
The couple continue to devote their time to the charity , helping raise funds and awareness of kidney disease , to give something back .
From this autumn , the law on organ and tissue donation is changing in Scotland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people have not recorded a decision about donation , it may be assumed they ’ re willing to be a donor when they die .
Families will always be involved in discussions about donation and will be asked about their loved ones views , to ensure that donation wouldn ’ t go ahead where it is against the donor ’ s wishes .
Everyone has a choice – to opt in or opt out – and people are being encouraged to make their donation decision known now , and in the lead up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it on the NHS Organ Donor Register and importantly talking to their family about what they would want to happen so they can support their decision .
Richard said : “ It does frustrate me that there ’ s a belief that kidney problems are caused by lifestyle .
Kidney function can be affected by a number of different diseases and no one is immune , it can happen to anyone .
It ’ s so important to promote the benefits of organ donation – you never know when you or a family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think the move to opt out is a good thing , but importantly its vital that families know the wishes of their loved ones so that they can honour their decision .
I ’ m on the NHS Organ Donor Register and want to pass on what I can .
“ The way I look at it , my organs aren ’ t any use to me when I ’ m gone , so if it can save and improve the life of someone else , then that would be my wish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their families do for others is incredible and I hope it brings comfort knowing that part of their loved one is living on .
Me and my family will be forever grateful.
” People can find out more about the opt out system of organ and tissue donation , and their choices at organdonationscotland.org

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A Wishaw man who underwent a second kidney transplant in September has shared what it has meant to him and his family, in a bid to highlight the importance of organ donation.
Richard Brown, 70, from Netherton, spoke of how the worry has lifted after spending seven years on dialysis and the freedom he now has thanks to his donor.
Richard was first diagnosed with a kidney condition called IgA nephropathy in 2011 after blood tests taken by his GP showed his kidney function was low, and started dialysis in 2012.
His first transplant went ahead in September 2014, two years after he was listed for transplant, but a number of problems including Richard contracting pneumonia led to the transplant failing and the kidney needing to be removed.
Richard’s daughter, who was due to get married in Cyprus the following year, cancelled her wedding as there were no guarantees he would be able to travel, instead reorganising the celebration in Scotland.
Richard was relisted and started back on dialysis, treatment that continued for another five years until he received another call in September, the day after his and wife Carol’s 39th wedding anniversary.
Richard said: “Dialysis was just something I got on with. I didn’t spend my days thinking about when I would get a transplant. I knew I was on the list, and just put it out of my mind and tried to get on with things.
“Going back on dialysis after the first transplant failed did feel like more of a disruption. I had to go three mornings a week, and then would sleep all afternoon, so it felt like three days out my life. Nothing could be spontaneous and there were a lot of restrictions on my diet.
“When the call came in September, I went straight to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow that morning. I wasn’t worried about the surgery but I was very aware it could be cancelled at any time. But the kidney arrived, I was able to have an hour’s worth of dialysis and was then taken to theatre.
“When I came round, I remember thinking how fortunate I was to have this new kidney. I just knew life from that point would be so much easier and my recovery is going well.
“It’s still early days, but the worry has lifted, and after all those years of doing dialysis, I feel like I have freedom for the first time in a long time.
“Christmas has been a special time, being able to spend it with the family without worrying about dialysis or watching what I’m eating or drinking.
“That will have been made possible by my donor and I’m very, very grateful for what I’ve been given.”
Prior to his transplant, Richard’s wife Carol raised funds for Kidney Research UK at Monklands Hospital, selling angels and tablet made by two transplant patients while Richard was on dialysis.
The couple continue to devote their time to the charity, helping raise funds and awareness of kidney disease, to give something back.
From this autumn, the law on organ and tissue donation is changing in Scotland to opt-out. This means that if people have not recorded a decision about donation, it may be assumed they’re willing to be a donor when they die.
Families will always be involved in discussions about donation and will be asked about their loved ones views, to ensure that donation wouldn’t go ahead where it is against the donor’s wishes.
Everyone has a choice – to opt in or opt out – and people
are being encouraged to make
their donation decision known now, and in the lead up to the law change, by recording it on the NHS Organ Donor Register and importantly talking to their family about what they would want to happen so they can support their decision.
Richard said: “It does frustrate me that there’s a belief that kidney problems are caused by lifestyle. Kidney function can be affected by a number of different diseases and no one is immune, it can happen to anyone. It’s so important to promote the benefits of organ donation – you never know when you or a family member will need a transplant.
“I think the move to opt out is a good thing, but importantly its vital that families know the wishes of their loved ones so that they can honour their decision. I’m on the NHS Organ Donor Register and want to pass on what I can.
“The way I look at it, my organs aren’t any use to me when I’m gone, so if it can save and improve the life of someone else, then that would be my wish.
“I think what donors and their families do for others is incredible and I hope it brings comfort knowing that part of their loved one is living on. Me and my family will be forever grateful.”
People can find out more about the opt out system of organ and tissue donation, and their choices at organdonationscotland.org


thedailyrecord--2020-01-08--Bowling club broken into at Livingston and quantity of cash stolen

Police are appealing for information after cash was stolen at a break-in at a West Lothian bowling club .
Entry @ @ @ @ @ Bowling Club in Willowbank , Livingston in the early hours of Monday January 6 and @ @ @ @ @ taken from the premises .
Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and detectives are appealing @ @ @ @ @ come forward .
Detective Constable Barry Carlin , of West Lothian CID , said : @ @ @ @ @ who was in the Willowbank area in the early hours of Monday to get in @ @ @ @ @ heard anything suspicious .
Perhaps there was a noise that woke you ?
Or perhaps @ @ @ @ @ people or a vehicle acting suspiciously ?
“ I would also ask anyone who may @ @ @ @ @ area around the time to review their dash-cam footage and report anything which may be @ @ @ @ @ Information can be provided to Police Scotland via 101 , quoting reference number 1137 of @ @ @ @ @ anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 .

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Police are appealing for information after cash was stolen at a break-in at a West Lothian bowling club.
Entry was forced to the Harrysmuir Bowling Club in Willowbank, Livingston in the early hours of Monday January 6 and a quantity of cash was taken from the premises.
Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and detectives are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
Detective Constable Barry Carlin, of West Lothian CID, said: “I am asking anyone who was in the Willowbank area in the early hours of Monday to get in touch if they saw or heard anything suspicious. Perhaps there was a noise that woke you? Or perhaps you saw a person, people or a vehicle acting suspiciously?
“I would also ask anyone who may have been driving in the area around the time to review their dash-cam footage and report anything which may be of use to us.”
Information can be provided to Police Scotland via 101, quoting reference number 1137 of 6 January, or reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.


thedailyrecord--2020-01-08--Harry Potter actors coming to Perth lights event revealed

The Harry Potter actors who will be visiting Perth as part of the Riverside light nights have been revealed .
Chris Rankin , who plays Percy Weasley , and Jamie Waylett and Josh Herdman who play Crabbe and Goyle , will be meeting with fans at the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry event at the Norie-Miller Walk in Perth .
In the books and films , Percy Weasley is best known as being Ron Weasley ’ s older brother , while Crabbe and Goyle are the Slytherin sidekicks of Draco Malfoy .
The event will take place on Tuesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is part of the wider Riverside light nights festival .
Chris said he was excited about the event .
He said : “ I am looking forward to attending Perth ’ s Riverside light festival and the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry .
“ It looks like a magical setting and I can ’ t wait to meet some fellow witches and wizards.
” Josh Herdman added : “ I am really looking forward to seeing the beautiful city of Perth .
“ I love visiting Scotland to meet fans and what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the banks of the River Tay at such an amazing festival.
” During the event , fans will be able to meet with the three actors and have their pictures taken with them .
They will also get the chance to have a go at flying on a broomstick with a Hollywood-style green screen , and meet some owls .
There will also be a wand duelling class for aspiring witches and wizards to take part in and learn magical spells .
The flying car used in the Chamber of Secrets film will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Tickets for the event cost £5 each and can be bought online via Eventbrite .

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The Harry Potter actors who will be visiting Perth as part of the Riverside light nights have been revealed.
Chris Rankin, who plays Percy Weasley, and Jamie Waylett and Josh Herdman who play Crabbe and Goyle, will be meeting with fans at the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry event at the Norie-Miller Walk in Perth.
In the books and films, Percy Weasley is best known as being Ron Weasley’s older brother, while Crabbe and Goyle are the Slytherin sidekicks of Draco Malfoy.
The event will take place on Tuesday, January 28 and Wednesday, January 29 and is part of the wider Riverside light nights festival.
Chris said he was excited about the event.
He said: “I am looking forward to attending Perth’s Riverside light festival and the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
“It looks like a magical setting and I can’t wait to meet some fellow witches and wizards.”
Josh Herdman added: “I am really looking forward to seeing the beautiful city of Perth.
“I love visiting Scotland to meet fans and what better location to do this than on the banks of the River Tay at such an amazing festival.”
During the event, fans will be able to meet with the three actors and have their pictures taken with them.
They will also get the chance to have a go at flying on a broomstick with a Hollywood-style green screen, and meet some owls.
There will also be a wand duelling class for aspiring witches and wizards to take part in and learn magical spells.
The flying car used in the Chamber of Secrets film will also be brought into the Norie-Miller Walk.
Tickets for the event cost £5 each and can be bought online via Eventbrite.


thedailyrecord--2020-01-08--Counter-terror cops deployed in Braehead shopping centre following previous attacks

Specialist counter-terror cops were deployed to intu Braehead shopping centre in the wake of a stabbing attack in Manchester .
Police chiefs acted to beef up security at the Renfrew mall after five people were injured in a horrific knife attack in Manchester ’ s Arndale Shopping Centre .
Cops swooped on intu Braehead in a bid to prevent a similar incident here and offer reassurance and advice to shoppers .
The move emerged in papers submitted to Renfrewshire Council ’ s Police and Fire and Rescue Scrutiny Sub-Committee .
The report to councillors states : “ In reaction to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shopping centre , K Division , Counter Terrorism Champions and other specially-trained officers in the Division ’ s Retail Crime Unit immediately deployed Project Servator within intu Braehead Shopping Centre , Renfrew .
“ Project Servator is a policing tactic that aims to disrupt a range of criminal activity , including terrorism .
“ This was met with great support by the centre management at intu and provided a level of reassurance to members of the public shopping in this area of Renfrewshire.
” Counter-terror cops also offered advice to council planning teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report adds : “ K Division Counter Terrorism liaison officer delivered a Counter Terrorism Awareness presentation to Renfrewshire Council events team and officers from K Division Community Safety and Ops Planning , ahead of the Winter Events Campaign .
“ Providing advice and guidance in relation to identifying and responding to suspicious behaviour , and dealing with suspect packages.
” Five people were injured in the knife attack at the Arndale Centre in Manchester in October .
A man , aged 40 , was detained under the Mental Health Act .
Three people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when a man with a large knife started began attacking people indiscriminately .
The shopping centre was locked down by cops in the aftermath of the attack .
More of the latest news from the PAISLEY DAILY EXPRESS

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Specialist counter-terror cops were deployed to intu Braehead shopping centre in the wake of a stabbing attack in Manchester.
Police chiefs acted to beef up security at the Renfrew mall after five people were injured in a horrific knife attack in Manchester’s Arndale Shopping Centre.
Cops swooped on intu Braehead in a bid to prevent a similar incident here and offer reassurance and advice to shoppers.
The move emerged in papers submitted to Renfrewshire Council’s Police and Fire and Rescue Scrutiny Sub-Committee.
The report to councillors states: “In reaction to the suspected terror incident at intu Manchester shopping centre, K Division, Counter Terrorism Champions and other specially-trained officers in the Division’s Retail Crime Unit immediately deployed Project Servator within intu Braehead Shopping Centre, Renfrew.
“Project Servator is a policing tactic that aims to disrupt a range of criminal activity, including terrorism.
“This was met with great support by the centre management at intu and provided a level of reassurance to members of the public shopping in this area of Renfrewshire.”
Counter-terror cops also offered advice to council planning teams ahead of the festive period.
The report adds: “K Division Counter Terrorism liaison officer delivered a Counter Terrorism Awareness presentation to Renfrewshire Council events team and officers from K Division Community Safety and Ops Planning, ahead of the Winter Events Campaign.
“Providing advice and guidance in relation to identifying and responding to suspicious behaviour, and dealing with suspect
packages.”
Five people were injured in the knife attack at the Arndale Centre in Manchester in October.
A man, aged 40, was detained under the Mental Health Act.
Three people were stabbed and two others were hurt when a man with a large knife started began attacking people indiscriminately.
The shopping centre was locked down by cops in the aftermath of the attack.
More of the latest news from the PAISLEY DAILY EXPRESS


thedailyrecord--2020-01-08--Scottish Tory leadership candidate defends 'vile' comments about benefit claimants

A Scottish Tory leadership contender who said benefit claimants could not have as many children as they liked has doubled down on her comments .
MSP Michelle Ballantyne said she is in the contest to help “ working people ” and claimed people with jobs should have the “ same opportunities ” as those who are unemployed .
Ballantyne is trying to obtain the 100 signatures required to go head-to-head in the contest to replace Ruth Davidson .
Interim leader Jackson Carlaw is the favourite to win , but Ballantyne is also trying to enter the race .
As the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she caused a row in 2018 after defending the Tory government policy on restricting some benefits to the first two children in a family .
She said : “ The two-child limit is about fairness .
`` It is fair that people on benefit can not have as many children as they like while people who work and pay their way and do n't claim benefits have to make decisions about the number of children they can have.
” In a BBC interview this morning , the South of Scotland MSP was asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ That ’ s half a sentence .
What I said is that we need a level playing field , so people who are in work need to have the same opportunities as people who aren ’ t in work .
She added : “ Everybody can have as many children as they like , but it ’ s about having a family income .
You can ’ t go to your employer and say ‘ I ’ ve decided to have another baby , so could I have a pay rise please @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fairness , it ’ s about a level playing field , and working people understand that.
” She said she does not know whether any MPs or MSPs will be supporting her candidacy , but said she was talking to the party ’ s grassroots : “ They are the people who really matter.
” Asked about previous claims that Boris Johnson would not play well in Scotland , she said : She added : “ The press actually ran him down endlessly .
”

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A Scottish Tory leadership contender who said benefit claimants could not have as many children as they liked has doubled down on her comments.
MSP Michelle Ballantyne said she is in the contest to help “working people” and claimed people with jobs should have the “same opportunities” as those who are unemployed.
Ballantyne is trying to obtain the 100 signatures required to go head-to-head in the contest to replace Ruth Davidson.
Interim leader Jackson Carlaw is the favourite to win, but Ballantyne is also trying to enter the race.
As the party’s social security spokeswoman, she caused a row in 2018 after defending the Tory government policy on restricting some benefits to the first two children in a family.
She said: “The two-child limit is about fairness.
"It is fair that people on benefit cannot have as many children as they like while people who work and pay their way and don't claim benefits have to make decisions about the number of children they can have.”
In a BBC interview this morning, the South of Scotland MSP was asked whether she stood by her comments:
“That’s half a sentence. What I said is that we need a level playing field, so people who are in work need to have the same opportunities as people who aren’t in work.
She added: “Everybody can have as many children as they like, but it’s about having a family income. You can’t go to your employer and say ‘I’ve decided to have another baby, so could I have a pay rise please?’.
"This is about fairness, it’s about a level playing field, and working people understand that.”
She said she does not know whether any MPs or MSPs will be supporting her candidacy, but said she was talking to the party’s grassroots:“They are the people who really matter.”
Asked about previous claims that Boris Johnson would not play well in Scotland, she said:
“His reputation is growing in Scotland."
She added: “The press actually ran him down endlessly.”


thedailyrecord--2020-01-08--Scots man sailing on 5,000 mile solo trip missing off the coast of Egypt

A Scots grandad sailing on epic 5,000-mile solo trip is missing off the coast of Egypt .
Colin Finnie 's @ @ @ @ @ crashed on a reef on December 13 after the 67-year-old from Helensburgh , Argyll , @ @ @ @ @ .
SV SIMBA was discovered on a passage to Port Ghalib , located in Marsa @ @ @ @ @ Sea Coral Coast of Egypt at around 2pm .
The last known contact with former @ @ @ @ @ , December 7 when he was around 300 miles from his destination of Port Ghalib @ @ @ @ @ worried wife wrote on Facebook : “ He was in storms and low on fuel.
@ @ @ @ @ : “ We are supporting the family of a British man reported missing while sailing @ @ @ @ @ are in contact with Egyptian authorities .
”

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A Scots grandad sailing on epic 5,000-mile solo trip is missing off the coast of Egypt .
Colin Finnie's empty yacht Simba was discovered crashed on a reef on December 13 after the 67-year-old from Helensburgh , Argyll, picked it up in Australia.
SV SIMBA was discovered on a passage to Port Ghalib, located in Marsa Alam along the Southern Red Sea Coral Coast of Egypt at around 2pm.
The last known contact with former hotelier Colin was on Saturday, December 7 when he was around 300 miles from his destination of Port Ghalib, Egypt.
Colin's worried wife wrote on Facebook: “He was in storms and low on fuel.”
The Foreign Office said: “We are supporting the family of a British man reported missing while sailing in the Red Sea and are in contact with Egyptian authorities.”


thedailyrecord--2020-01-08--West Dunbartonshire residents urged to have a greener Christmas

People in West Dunbartonshire will have unwrapped over 300 miles of wrapping paper this Christmas .
If laid out the glittery trail would stretch all the way from Alexandria Main Street to the centre of Leicester - 335 miles away .
And the environmental impact of the amount of waste we produce at this time of year shouldn ’ t be underestimated - with rubbish levels soaring around Christmas and New Year as we tuck into food that is packed in more than 125,000 tonnes of plastic packaging .
This doesn ’ t just come with an environmental cost either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the local authority £36 more per tonne than that which is recycled .
As a result the Lennox Herald is urging our readers to make their festive tidy-up a bit less red and glittery , and a bit more green .
Councillor Iain McLaren , convener of and spokesperson for infrastructure , regeneration and economic development , gave us his tips for being a little greener at this time of year .
He said : “ Choosing the greener options and recycling as much as you can would be a great help to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the bottom line is that the more people recycle , the more money it saves the council to invest in other areas .
“ Saving wrapping paper for next year , along with boxes or gift bags is , an easy way to reuse what you have - and it offends nobody if you are reusing a gift bag because it ’ s very much commonplace nowadays .
“ We reuse our wrapping paper , we reuse Christmas cards with nice designs as gift tags for the next year and , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t put names on envelopes so that they can be used again as well.
” Meanwhile Friends of the Earth Scotland director Dr Richard Dixon explained that having a greener Christmas doesn ’ t have to be a tough task .
He said : “ From wrapping paper to plastic packaging , it can feel like there ’ s no escaping the mountain of plastic and waste that comes with Christmas .
However , there are lots of easy ways you can cut down on your environmental impact in the festive season .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ your Christmas consumption is that people should be careful not to buy needless stuff that their loved ones will not even use .
“ Giving people an experience they can enjoy such as tickets to a show , a restaurant voucher or cookery course will have a lower impact on our planet .
“ Taking the time and making your gift at home can be a great fun way of showing that you care - and make sure to check out second hand shops for unique and fun gifts .
“ Once you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choose plastic-free wrapping paper that can be reused and recycled and send e-cards where you can .
“ Buying a real Christmas tree would be better unless you already have a plastic one , in which case you should keep on using until it ’ s ready for the charity shop .
“ In terms of food , try to avoid plastic packaging when doing your shopping for the dinner .
Only cook the food that you realistically believe you ’ ll eat , look online for interesting recipes for the leftovers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t end up eating.
” For more information from West Dunbartonshire click here .

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People in West Dunbartonshire will have unwrapped over 300 miles of wrapping paper this Christmas.
If laid out the glittery trail would stretch all the way from Alexandria Main Street to the centre of Leicester - 335 miles away.
And the environmental impact of the amount of waste we produce at this time of year shouldn’t be underestimated - with rubbish levels soaring around Christmas and New Year as we tuck into food that is packed in more than 125,000 tonnes of plastic packaging.
This doesn’t just come with an environmental cost either, with waste sent to landfill costing the local authority £36 more per tonne than that which is recycled.
As a result the Lennox Herald is urging our readers to make their festive tidy-up a bit less red and glittery, and a bit more green.
Councillor Iain McLaren, convener of and spokesperson for infrastructure, regeneration and economic development, gave us his tips for being a little greener at this time of year.
He said: “Choosing the greener options and recycling as much as you can would be a great help to the council as well as the planet, and the bottom line is that the more people recycle, the more money it saves the council to invest in other areas.
“Saving wrapping paper for next year, along with boxes or gift bags is, an easy way to reuse what you have - and it offends nobody if you are reusing a gift bag because it’s very much commonplace nowadays.
“We reuse our wrapping paper, we reuse Christmas cards with nice designs as gift tags for the next year and, where we can, we don’t put names on envelopes so that they can be used again as well.”
Meanwhile Friends of the Earth Scotland director Dr Richard Dixon explained that having a greener Christmas doesn’t have to be a tough task.
He said: “From wrapping paper to plastic packaging, it can feel like there’s no escaping the mountain of plastic and waste that comes with Christmas. However, there are lots of easy ways you can cut down on your environmental impact in the festive season.
“The most important thing to reduce your Christmas consumption is that people should be careful not to buy needless stuff that their loved ones will not even use.
“Giving people an experience they can enjoy such as tickets to a show, a restaurant voucher or cookery course will have a lower impact on our planet.
“Taking the time and making your gift at home can be a great fun way of showing that you care - and make sure to check out second hand shops for unique and fun gifts.
“Once you’ve got the perfect present, choose plastic-free wrapping paper that can be reused and recycled and send e-cards where you can.
“Buying a real Christmas tree would be better unless you already have a plastic one, in which case you should keep on using until it’s ready for the charity shop.
“In terms of food, try to avoid plastic packaging when doing your shopping for the dinner. Only cook the food that you realistically believe you’ll eat, look online for interesting recipes for the leftovers and make sure to compost the food you don’t end up eating.”
For more information from West Dunbartonshire click here .


thedailyrecord--2020-01-08--Coatbridge councillor and his wife injured during New Year party attack

A POLICE investigation is under way after a Coatbridge councillor and his wife suffered head and facial injuries during a New Year party in a Glenboig pub .
Greg Lennon , 41 , and wife Tracy , 40 , were attending an event at the Big Shop when , according to onlookers , they were attacked by multiple people .
Councillor Lennon , who represents the Gartcosh , Glenboig & Moodiesburn ward and is North Lanarkshire Council ’ s SNP group secretary , was taken to hospital , along with his wife , for treatment to injuries after the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the village ’ s Main Street , had been hosting a ticketed Hogmanay party from 9pm and laid on fireworks , food and a DJ .
But police were called at about 2.30am when a row broke out .
One onlooker said the Lennons were involved in a disturbance with at least three people .
The source said : “ It was shocking to see .
I hope Greg is OK , and his wife also.
” Responding to the incident , North Lanarkshire SNP group leader Tom Johnston told the Advertiser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to visit Greg and Tracy and they have had a lot of messages of support from many well-wishers .
“ The matter has been reported to the police and an investigation is under way.
” Coatbridge MSP Fulton MacGregor added : “ I was shocked to hear about what happened to Councillor Lennon and his wife and I ’ ve been in touch with him to offer my best wishes and support .
“ I am aware that police enquiries are ongoing , which I fully support .
“ My thoughts are with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they make a quick recovery from this ordeal.
” No one had been charged in connection with the incident as the Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser went to press ( on January 7 ) and it is understood statements were taken from witnesses who saw the incident on New Year ’ s Day .
Police confirmed their enquiries into the incident are “ ongoing ” , with a spokesperson adding : “ Police in Coatbridge are investigating after a 41-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman were found with head and facial injuries following a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which was reported at around 2.30am on Wednesday , January 1 .
“ Both were taken to University Hospital Monklands for treatment and enquiries are ongoing.
” Councillor Lennon was elected in May 2017 and said there was a “ real positivity and aspiration ” for the newly-created ward .
He added at the time : “ I think the work that we ’ ll do over the next five years will be instrumental in bettering the communities of Gartcosh , Glenboig and Moodiesburn in the future.
” When contacted by the Airdrie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Daily Record , the Lennons said they were not yet in a position to comment .

reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk (Ian  Bunting)

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A POLICE investigation is under way after a Coatbridge councillor and his wife suffered head and facial injuries during a New Year party in a Glenboig pub.
Greg Lennon, 41, and wife Tracy, 40, were attending an event at the Big Shop when, according to onlookers, they were attacked by multiple people.
Councillor Lennon, who represents the Gartcosh, Glenboig & Moodiesburn ward and is North Lanarkshire Council’s SNP group secretary, was taken to hospital, along with his wife, for treatment to injuries after the “shocking” assault.
The pub, in the village’s Main Street, had been hosting a ticketed Hogmanay party from 9pm and laid on fireworks, food and a DJ.
But police were called at about 2.30am when a row broke out.
One onlooker said the Lennons were involved in a disturbance with at least three people.
The source said: “It was shocking to see. I hope Greg is OK, and his wife also.”
(Image: Google Maps/Internet Unknown)
Responding to the incident, North Lanarkshire SNP group leader Tom Johnston told the Advertiser: “My wife and I went to visit Greg and Tracy and they have had a lot of messages of support from many well-wishers.
“The matter has been reported to the police and an investigation is under way.”
Coatbridge MSP Fulton MacGregor added: “I was shocked to hear about what happened to Councillor Lennon and his wife and I’ve been in touch with him to offer my best wishes and support.
“I am aware that police enquiries are ongoing, which I fully support.
“My thoughts are with Greg and Tracy and I hope that they make a quick recovery from this ordeal.”
No one had been charged in connection with the incident as the Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser went to press (on January 7) and it is understood statements were taken from witnesses who saw the incident on New Year’s Day.
Police confirmed their enquiries into the incident are “ongoing”, with a spokesperson adding: “Police in Coatbridge are investigating after a 41-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman were found with head and facial injuries following a disturbance in Main Street, Glenboig, which was reported at around 2.30am on Wednesday, January 1.
“Both were taken to University Hospital Monklands for treatment and enquiries are ongoing.”
Councillor Lennon was elected in May 2017 and said there was a “real positivity and aspiration” for the newly-created ward.
He added at the time: “I think the work that we’ll do over the next five years will be instrumental in bettering the communities of Gartcosh, Glenboig and Moodiesburn in the future.”
When contacted by the Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser’s sister paper the Daily Record, the Lennons said they were not yet in a position to comment.


thedailyrecord--2020-01-08--St Blane's Primary bid farewell to their janitor after 27 years

The staff and pupils of St Blane ’ s Primary said a fond farewell to their long-serving janitor recently .
@ @ @ @ @ the week before Christmas , worked as a janitor for South Lanarkshire Council for the @ @ @ @ @ those years , Alex has spent 27 years at St Blane ’ s Primary on @ @ @ @ @ Prior to the Christmas holidays the staff and pupils gave Alex a well-deserved send-off at @ @ @ @ @ to him .
Although he is retiring from his job as janitor , Alex has @ @ @ @ @ a stranger to the school .
Principal teacher Anne O ’ Donnelly said : “ @ @ @ @ @ stranger to St Blane ’ s as he intends to continue helping the children look @ @ @ @ @ their school garden .
“ Aside from that , Alex will now have more time @ @ @ @ @ golf .
“ All of St Blane ’ s community wish him a very happy @ @ @ @ @ retirement .
”

reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk (Leona  Greenan)

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The staff and pupils of St Blane’s Primary said a fond farewell to their long-serving janitor recently.
Alex Rankin, who retired the week before Christmas, worked as a janitor for South Lanarkshire Council for the last 37 years.
Of those years, Alex has spent 27 years at St Blane’s Primary on Fernslea Avenue, Blantyre.
Prior to the Christmas holidays the staff and pupils gave Alex a well-deserved send-off at a special assembly dedicated just to him.
Although he is retiring from his job as janitor, Alex has promised he will not be a stranger to the school.
Principal teacher Anne O’Donnelly said: “Alex will not be a stranger to St Blane’s as he intends to continue helping the children look after and grow plants in their school garden.
“Aside from that, Alex will now have more time to spend enjoying his beloved golf.
“All of St Blane’s community wish him a very happy, healthy and well deserved retirement.”


thedailyrecord--2020-01-08--Three Brits feared among 176 dead after Ukrainian plane crashes in Iran

Three Brits are feared to have died after a Ukrainian plane crashed after taking off from an Iranian airport killing all 176 passengers .
The Boeing 737 belonging to Ukraine International Airlines crashed near Tehran 's Imam Khomeini airport on Wednesday and burst into flames .
Ukrainian media outlet Obozrevatel reported three Brits checked in for the flight along with 71 Iranians , 73 Canadians , four Germans , Eight Swedes and six people from Afghanistan .
Ukraine 's embassy in Iran , citing preliminary information , said the plane had suffered engine failure and the crash was not caused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zelenskiy said there were no survivors .
`` My sincere condolences to the relatives and friends of all passengers and crew , '' Zelenskiy said in a statement , adding that Ukraine was seeking to establish the circumstances of the crash and the death toll .
Iranian TV said the crash was due to technical problems but did not elaborate .
State broadcaster IRIB said on its website that one of the plane 's two black boxes - the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder - had been found .
Iranian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying the pilot of the airliner did not declare an emergency .
There was no official word from Ukraine International Airlines .
It was the Kiev-based airline 's first fatal crash .
`` The fire is so heavy that we can not ( do ) any rescue ... we have 22 ambulances , four bus ambulances and a helicopter at the site , '' Pirhossein Koulivand , head of Iran 's emergency services , told Iranian state television .
Ukraine 's prime minister and Iranian state TV said 167 passengers and 9 crew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 32 of those on board were foreigners .
Television footage showed debris and smouldering engine parts strewn across a field , and rescue workers with face masks retrieving bodies of the victims .
According to air tracking service FlightRadar24 , the plane that crashed was Flight PS 752 and was flying to Kiev .
The plane was three years old and was a Boeing 737-800NG , it said .
The model 's twin engines are made by CFM International , a US-French venture co-owned by General Electric and France 's Safran .
Modern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an engine failure shortly after take-off and to fly for extended periods on one engine .
However , an uncontained engine failure releasing shrapnel can cause damage to other aircraft systems .
A spokesman for Boeing said the company was aware of media reports of a plane crash in Iran and was gathering more information .
The plane manufacturer grounded its 737 MAX fleet in March after two crashes that killed 346 people .
The 737-800 is one of the world 's most-flown models with a good safety record and which does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crashes of the 737 MAX .
Under international rules overseen by the United Nations , Iran is responsible for leading the crash investigation .
Ukraine would be involved and the United States would usually be accredited as the country where the Boeing jet was designed and built .
France , where the engine maker CFM has half its activities , may also be involved .
There was no immediate word on whether the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board would be involved in the probe amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fired surface-to-surface missiles at two Iraqi bases housing US troops .
President Donald Trump insisted `` All is well ! ''
and promised to make a statement to the nation on Wednesday morning about the increasingly precarious situation .
Trump offered no immediate indication of whether he would retaliate , and stayed out of sight as news of the missile strikes emerged .
Iran struck back at the US for the killing of a top Iranian general , firing a series of ballistic missiles at two Iraqi bases housing US troops in Iraq @

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Three Brits are feared to have died after a Ukrainian plane crashed after taking off from an Iranian airport killing all 176 passengers.
The Boeing 737 belonging to Ukraine International Airlines crashed near Tehran's Imam Khomeini airport on Wednesday and burst into flames.
Ukrainian media outlet Obozrevatel reported three Brits checked in for the flight along with 71 Iranians, 73 Canadians, four Germans, Eight Swedes and six people from Afghanistan.
Ukraine's embassy in Iran, citing preliminary information, said the plane had suffered engine failure and the crash was not caused by " terrorism ".
(Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said there were no survivors.
"My sincere condolences to the relatives and friends of all passengers and crew," Zelenskiy said in a statement, adding that
Ukraine was seeking to establish the circumstances of the crash and the death toll.
Iranian TV said the crash was due to technical problems but did not elaborate.
State broadcaster IRIB said on its website that one of the plane's two black boxes - the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder - had been found.
(Image: ISNA/AFP via Getty Images)
Iranian media quoted an Iranian aviation official as saying the pilot of the airliner did not declare an emergency.
There was no official word from Ukraine International Airlines. It was the Kiev-based airline's first fatal crash.
"The fire is so heavy that we cannot (do) any rescue... we have 22 ambulances, four bus ambulances and a helicopter at the site," Pirhossein Koulivand, head of Iran's emergency services, told Iranian state television.
Ukraine's prime minister and Iranian state TV said 167 passengers and 9 crew were on board. Iranian TV said 32 of those on board were foreigners.
Television footage showed debris and smouldering engine parts strewn across a field, and rescue workers with face masks retrieving bodies of the victims.
According to air tracking service FlightRadar24, the plane that crashed was Flight PS 752 and was flying to Kiev. The plane was three years old and was a Boeing 737-800NG, it said.
The model's twin engines are made by CFM International, a US-French venture co-owned by General Electric and France's Safran.
Modern aircraft are designed and certified to cope with an engine failure shortly after take-off and to fly for extended periods on one engine.
However, an uncontained engine failure releasing shrapnel can cause damage to other aircraft systems.
A spokesman for Boeing said the company was aware of media reports of a plane crash in Iran and was gathering more information.
The plane manufacturer grounded its 737 MAX fleet in March after two crashes that killed 346 people.
The 737-800 is one of the world's most-flown models with a good safety record and which does not have the software feature
implicated in crashes of the 737 MAX.
Under international rules overseen by the United Nations, Iran is responsible for leading the crash investigation.
Ukraine would be involved and the United States would usually be accredited as the country where the Boeing jet was designed and built. France, where the engine maker CFM has half its activities, may also be involved.
(Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
There was no immediate word on whether the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board would be involved in the probe amid
escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
The tragedy came just hours after Iran fired surface-to-surface missiles at two Iraqi bases housing US troops.
President Donald Trump insisted "All is well!" and promised to make a statement to the nation on Wednesday morning about the increasingly precarious situation.
Trump offered no immediate indication of whether he would retaliate, and stayed out of sight as news of the missile strikes emerged.
Iran struck back at the US for the killing of a top Iranian general, firing a series of ballistic missiles at two Iraqi bases housing US troops in Iraq.


thedailyrecord--2020-01-08--Justin Bieber battling Lyme disease as pop star hits back at crystal meth rumours

Justin Bieber has told fans he has been battling Lyme disease and that he will go into more detail in his upcoming docu-series .
The pop heart-throb , 25 , posted a long message on Instagram saying that he had been diagnosed with the bacterial infection and that it had been `` a rough couple of years '' .
However , he vowed to be `` back and better than ever '' .
Bieber told his 124 million followers on the site : `` While a lot of people kept saying Justin Bieber looks like s*** , on meth etc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently diagnosed with Lyme disease , not only that but had a serious case of chronic mono which affected my skin , brain function , energy , and overall health .
`` These things will be explained further in a docu series I 'm putting on YouTube shortly.. you can learn all that I 've been battling and OVERCOMING !
! ''
He added : `` It 's been a rough couple years but getting the right treatment that will help treat this so far incurable disease and I will be back and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supermodel Bella Hadid , a longtime friend of Justin and wife Hayley Bieber , has also battled the disease alongside her mum and brother .
Bieber revealed last month that he is to star in a documentary series which will give fans a look at the making of his first new album in more than four years .
The YouTube programme will also give fans an insight into the past few years of the singer 's life , from his marriage to Hailey Baldwin to his struggles .
Justin Bieber : Seasons will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ episodes launching each Monday and Wednesday .
The 10-episode docu-series will be available free to watch on YouTube .
According to the NHS website , Lyme disease is `` a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks '' .
It says a few people who are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease continue to have symptoms , including `` tiredness , aches and loss of energy '' .

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Justin Bieber has told fans he has been battling Lyme disease and that he will go into more detail in his upcoming docu-series.
The pop heart-throb, 25, posted a long message on Instagram saying that he had been diagnosed with the bacterial infection and that it had been "a rough couple of years".
However, he vowed to be "back and better than ever".
Bieber told his 124 million followers on the site: "While a lot of people kept saying Justin Bieber looks like s***, on meth etc they failed to realise I've been recently diagnosed with Lyme disease, not only that but had a serious case of chronic mono which affected my skin, brain function, energy, and overall health.
"These things will be explained further in a docu series I'm putting on YouTube shortly.. you can learn all that I've been battling and OVERCOMING!!"
(Image: Getty Images)
He added: "It's been a rough couple years but getting the right treatment that will help treat this so far incurable disease and I will be back and better than ever NO CAP."
Supermodel Bella Hadid, a longtime friend of Justin and wife Hayley Bieber, has also battled the disease alongside her mum and brother.
Bieber revealed last month that he is to star in a documentary series which will give fans a look at the making of his first new album in more than four years.
The YouTube programme will also give fans an insight into the past few years of the singer's life, from his marriage to Hailey Baldwin to his struggles.
(Image: SWNS)
Justin Bieber: Seasons will debut on January 27, with new episodes launching each Monday and Wednesday. The 10-episode docu-series will be available free to watch on YouTube.
According to the NHS website, Lyme disease is "a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans by infected ticks".
It says a few people who are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease continue to have symptoms, including "tiredness, aches and loss of energy".


thedailyrecord--2020-01-08--Police lock down Knightswood Golf Course in ongoing enquiry

Police are searching a Glasgow golf course amid an ongoing enquiry .
Officers wouldn ’ t say why they were @ @ @ @ @ Glasgow on Wednesday .
But reports emerged of police “ digging up ” a section @ @ @ @ @ on social media showed a forensics tent over an area .
Eyewitnesses in the area @ @ @ @ @ on the scene from around 7.30am that morning .
Police said there was no danger @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson for Police Scotland said : `` Officers are conducting a search of the area @ @ @ @ @ enquiry . ''

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Police are searching a Glasgow golf course amid an ongoing enquiry.
Officers wouldn’t say why they were at Knightswood Golf Course in Glasgow on Wednesday.
But reports emerged of police “digging up” a section of the course and pictures on social media showed a forensics tent over an area.
Eyewitnesses in the area claimed that officers had been on the scene from around 7.30am that morning.
Police said there was no danger to the public.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "Officers are conducting a search of the area as part of an ongoing enquiry."


thedailyrecord--2020-01-08--National Lottery results: Your Lotto winning numbers for Wednesday January 8

Grab your tickets and check if you can finally buy that house and car you 've always dreamed of .
@ @ @ @ @ the Lotto or Thunderball , you can find out the results below .
And here @ @ @ @ @ luck !
Players have two chances to strike gold each week , with draws taking @ @ @ @ @ .
You can get tickets from most UK newsagents and supermarkets from 8am to 11pm @ @ @ @ @ you have to do to play is simply choose six numbers between 1 and 59 @ @ @ @ @ lives of the prize winners , the National Lottery funds projects all over the UK @ @ @ @ @ the ticket sales goes towards good causes .

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Tonight's National Lottery draw results are in.
Grab your tickets and check if you can finally buy that house and car you've always dreamed of.
Tonight's jackpot sits at a huge £5.1million.
Whether you decided to play the Lotto or Thunderball, you can find out the results below.
And here they are... so good luck!
Tonight's National Lottery winning numbers are: 02, 23, 42, 47, 50, 59.
The bonus ball is 32.
Tonight's Thunderball winning numbers are: 02, 24, 25, 29, 32.
The Thunderball is 07.
Players have two chances to strike gold each week, with draws taking place on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
You can get tickets from most UK newsagents and supermarkets from 8am to 11pm on most days.
ll you have to do to play is simply choose six numbers between 1 and 59.
As well as changing lives of the prize winners, the National Lottery funds projects all over the UK.
Every week part of the ticket sales goes towards good causes.


thedailyrecord--2020-01-08--The only way to end Scotland's drug crisis is to understand addiction itself

This week , SNP grandee Angus Robertson claimed , among other things , that the drug crisis is proof we need independence .
Evidently , the drug deaths have nothing to do with the funding that was cut by the Scottish Government in the two years prior to the drug-death figures being released .
Nothing to do with the closure , or downsizing , of residential rehabs where addicts stand a better chance of being detoxed and getting some clean-time under their belts .
No .
Just a vague appeal to notions of Portuguese-style decriminalisation followed by the predictable “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the obligatory nod to the so-called Trainspotting generation – an ageing population of drug users who , due to getting on a bit , are not quite as resilient in the face of smack as they were in Irvine Welsh ’ s heyday .
In just a few hundred words , Robertson conveyed the misconception that lies at the heart of the crisis – our failure to truly comprehend the nature of addiction .
Robertson , and others , often refer to an “ evidenced-based approach ” .
This gives their claims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really saying is that we will be sticking to the “ harm reduction ” model that has persisted since the 80s .
This , after all , is the only approach for which any real evidence is gathered .
We haven ’ t tried much else .
Harm reduction is the belief you can cure heroin addiction with methadone addiction .
That alcoholics may learn to control their drinking if they keep a wee journal , logging how much Buckfast they tan before work .
This is the school of thought that gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over-prescription of the very opioids and benzodiazepines which gave rise to the demand for the counterfeit , deadly , cheap imitations now flooding the streets .
And it ’ s the same orthodoxy which is lining up drugs like Ketamine as treatments for binge-drinking .
As for this notion that it ’ s only middle-aged drug-users dying , go ask your local undertaker how that lines up with their experience over the last two years .
Any successes under the harm reduction model are offset by the industrial-scale death , despair and dysfunction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of drug rehabilitation .
But the belief in the policy has burrowed its tentacles into every aspect of addiction treatment in Scotland .
I believe it plays a significant role in the accelerating drug crisis .
At its heart , it ’ s a dangerous misunderstanding of addiction ’ s true nature .
A misconception only possible when policy is designed by people who have no direct experience of overcoming it .
For me , one drug or drink always led to the other .
There was no reduction .
No control .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The only way I would ever control my drinking or drug use , in the long run , was if I abstained completely , and learned how to manage my life without these substances .
In Scotland , among many esteemed professionals in the field of addiction , this notion of abstinence is troubling .
That ’ s why so many people have been on methadone for so long .
If they relapse on to other drugs , it is often assumed its because their methadone dosage is too low .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to the eye balls on a heroin-replacement , their appetite for still more chemical inebriation should simply disappear .
What ’ s worse is that when people ask to be taken off methadone or have their dosage reduced gradually , they are often refused .
And we think the addicts are mad ?
Addiction , put simply , is insanity .
Insanity is attempting the same solution over and over again expecting different results .
The question for Scotland now is – who is more insane , the drug addicts , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the hope they ’ ll get clean ?
We need radical action.. not repetition The Scottish Government claims its efforts to tackle the drug crisis are hampered by the fact we don ’ t have the powers to decriminalise it .
Calls for decriminalisation of drugs are significant , not least the campaign spearheaded by this newspaper to treat drug addiction as a health issue , and not simply a matter of criminal justice .
Decriminalisation would remove the social stigma and give authorities more options .
It would allow for safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where addicts could use safely , and access support .
However , without radical action in other areas , there remains a risk that , instead of prison , addicts will simply be fed into a system of harm-reduction treatment that produces as much failure as it does success .
Decriminalisation is essential , but not a panacea , as the Scottish Government often suggests .
What we must address is the status quo of harm-reduction .
A status quo that seeks to manage certain addictive behaviours by creating new ones , without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play in replicating addictive behaviour .
And where the Scottish Government – despite having the powers to invest in residential rehabs , where clients can be taken off drugs like methadone and heroin in a matter of weeks – seems stubbornly committed to the approach which has characterised our patchy record on addiction since the 80s .
Drug-related deaths are clearly linked to deprivation .
Researchers at the University of the West of Scotland , Iain McPhee , Barry Sheridan , and Stevie O ’ Rawe published research that within the poorest areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comparable with those of heart disease .
Twenty per cent of the total number of drug-related deaths in 2017 and 2018 were of people who lived in the five per cent of areas which were most deprived .
There has be to a paradigm shift to take into account the environment largely ignored in drug policy responses .
The narrative that is constantly being put forward by the Scottish Government , of the ageing cohort , does not explain the number of deaths .
Deaths which are not wholly a legacy of Margaret @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either .
A large proportion of the drug-related deaths were from people who came into the job market after devolution .
This false narrative of a mysterious “ Trainspotting generation ” obscures the true nature of the drug crisis .

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This week, SNP grandee Angus Robertson claimed, among other things, that the drug crisis is proof we need independence .
Evidently, the drug deaths have nothing to do with the funding that was cut by the Scottish Government in the two years prior to the drug-death figures being released.
Nothing to do with the closure, or downsizing, of residential rehabs where addicts stand a better chance of being detoxed and getting some clean-time under their belts.
No. Just a vague appeal to notions of Portuguese-style decriminalisation followed by the predictable “we need more powers” refrain, and the obligatory nod to the so-called Trainspotting generation – an ageing population of drug users who, due to getting on a bit, are not quite as resilient in the face of smack as they were in Irvine Welsh’s heyday.
In just a few hundred words, Robertson conveyed the misconception that lies at the heart of the crisis – our failure to truly comprehend the nature of addiction.
Robertson, and others, often refer to an “evidenced-based approach”. This gives their claims a certain muscularity.
What they are really saying is that we will be sticking to the “harm reduction” model that has persisted since the 80s.
This, after all, is the only approach for which any real evidence is gathered. We haven’t tried much else.
Harm reduction is the belief you can cure heroin addiction with methadone addiction. That alcoholics may learn to control their drinking if they keep a wee journal, logging how much Buckfast they tan before work.
This is the school of thought that gave us long-term methadone use, and the over-prescription of the very opioids and benzodiazepines which gave rise to the demand for the counterfeit, deadly, cheap imitations now flooding the streets.
And it’s the same orthodoxy which is lining up drugs like Ketamine as treatments for binge-drinking.
God, give me strength.
As for this notion that it’s only middle-aged drug-users dying, go ask your local undertaker how that lines up with their experience over the last two years.
Any successes under the harm reduction model are offset by the industrial-scale death, despair and dysfunction which now grimly overshadows the entire field of drug rehabilitation. But the belief in the policy has burrowed its tentacles into every aspect of addiction treatment in Scotland.
I believe it plays a significant role in the accelerating drug crisis. At its heart, it’s a dangerous misunderstanding of addiction’s true nature.
A misconception only possible when policy is designed by people who have no direct experience of overcoming it.
For me, one drug or drink always led to the other. There was no reduction. No control. Only addiction, presenting in different forms.
The only way I would ever control my drinking or drug use, in the long run, was if I abstained completely, and learned how to manage my life without these substances.
In Scotland, among many esteemed professionals in the field of addiction, this notion of abstinence is troubling. That’s why so many people have been on methadone for so long.
If they relapse on to other drugs, it is often assumed its because their methadone dosage is too low.
The logic being: if people are doped up to the eye balls on a heroin-replacement, their appetite for still more chemical inebriation should simply disappear.
What’s worse is that when people ask to be taken off methadone or have their dosage reduced gradually, they are often refused. And we think the addicts are mad?
Addiction, put simply, is insanity. Insanity is attempting the same solution over and over again expecting different results.
The question for Scotland now is – who is more insane, the drug addicts, or the professionals handing them more drugs, in the hope they’ll get clean?
(Image: Jamie Williamson)
We need radical action.. not repetition
The Scottish Government claims its efforts to tackle the drug crisis are hampered by the fact we don’t have the powers to decriminalise it.
Calls for decriminalisation of drugs are significant, not least the campaign spearheaded by this newspaper to treat drug addiction as a health issue, and not simply a matter of criminal justice.
Decriminalisation would remove the social stigma and give authorities more options.
It would allow for safe treatment rooms (pictured right), where addicts could use safely, and access support.
However, without radical action in other areas, there remains a risk that, instead of prison, addicts will simply be fed into a system of harm-reduction treatment that produces as much failure as it does success.
Decriminalisation is essential, but not a panacea, as the Scottish Government often suggests. What we must address is the status quo of harm-reduction.
A status quo that seeks to manage certain addictive behaviours by creating new ones, without really accounting for the role social environments play in replicating addictive behaviour.
And where the Scottish Government – despite having the powers to invest in residential rehabs, where clients can be taken off drugs like methadone and heroin in a matter of weeks – seems stubbornly committed to the approach which has characterised our patchy record on addiction since the 80s.
(Image: Mirrorpix)
Poverty helps drive drugs death crisis
Drug-related deaths are clearly linked to deprivation.
Researchers at the University of the West of Scotland, Iain McPhee, Barry Sheridan, and Stevie O’Rawe published research that within the poorest areas of Scotland, drug-related death rates are comparable with those of heart disease.
Twenty per cent of the total number of drug-related deaths in 2017 and 2018 were of people who lived in the five per cent of areas which were most deprived.
There has be to a paradigm shift to take into account the environment largely ignored in drug policy responses.
The narrative that is constantly being put forward by the Scottish Government, of the ageing cohort, does not explain the number of deaths.
Deaths which are not wholly a legacy of Margaret Thatcher’s cruel economic policies, either. A large proportion of the drug-related deaths were from people who came into the job market after devolution.
This false narrative of a mysterious “Trainspotting generation” obscures the true nature of the drug crisis.


thedailyrecord--2020-01-08--Murder enquiry launched after inmate found dead in cell at HMP Low Moss

Police have launched a murder enquiry after the death of an inmate at HMP Low Moss .
Prison bosses called @ @ @ @ @ jail after a 47-year-old prisoner was found dead in his cell on Monday .
He @ @ @ @ @ Darren Brownlie .
His death is being treated as suspicious and a murder enquiry has @ @ @ @ @ four men on suspicion of assault and they have now been released .
A source @ @ @ @ @ `` Police and forensics have been inside the prison and a blue tent was erected @ @ @ @ @ `` The hall was put on lockdown . ''
A Police Scotland spokesperson said : @ @ @ @ @ aware that a 47-year-old man had died at HMP Low Moss prison on Monday , @ @ @ @ @ examinations , we are treating the death as suspicious and a murder enquiry has been @ @ @ @ @ been submitted to the procurator fiscal . ''

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Police have launched a murder enquiry after the death of an inmate at HMP Low Moss .
Prison bosses called cops to the East Dunbartonshire jail after a 47-year-old prisoner was found dead in his cell on Monday.
He can now be named as Darren Brownlie.
His death is being treated as suspicious and a murder enquiry has been launched.
Police arrested four men on suspicion of assault and they have now been released.
A source told the Daily Record: "Police and forensics have been inside the prison and a blue tent was erected around the cell concerned.
"The hall was put on lockdown."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Police Scotland were made aware that a 47-year-old man had died at HMP Low Moss prison on Monday, January 6.
Following post-mortem examinations, we are treating the death as suspicious and a murder enquiry has been launched.
A report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal."


thedailyrecord--2020-01-08--Serial driving test fraudster jailed after sitting other people’s exams

A fraudster has been locked up for 28 months for trying to sit other people 's driving theory tests - after serving two previous jail terms for similar crimes .
Swallaxadin Abdul Bashir , 42 , attempted to sit tests while impersonating applicants at 12 locations across England between October 2018 to August 2019 , the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency ( DVSA ) said .
Bashir , from Coventry , was jailed at Warwick Crown Court on Wednesday after committing the offences in Nottingham , Scunthorpe , Sunderland , Middlesbrough , Gloucester , Cheltenham , Salisbury , York , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manchester .
Theory centre staff reported the incidents to the DVSA 's fraud investigation team after having suspicions that he was impersonating the genuine candidates whilst taking the tests .
Staff rejected all pass results from the tests that he carried out and in some cases he was turned away before taking the test , the DVSA said .
Bashir pleaded guilty to the offences at an earlier court hearing , which was told that investigators found evidence of people booking tests with him on his mobile phone .
West Midlands Police supported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and another property connected to him , finding distinctive items of clothing that were captured on test centre CCTV .
Bashir was previously jailed for 18 months in 2017 and two years in July 2016 , and was handed a six-month suspended sentence in February 2014 for similar offences .
A court hearing in August 2017 , also held at Warwick Crown Court , was told Bashir was a `` one-trick pony '' who had offered services to driving test applicants who had difficulty with the English language .
Andy Rice , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation , said : `` Theory tests are a vital way of assessing if people have the right driving knowledge and attitude to drive safely .
`` Working with other agencies , we make every effort to prosecute theory test fraudsters and this significant prison sentence shows the impact of this work . ''
Ongoing investigations are taking place to locate and prosecute people who paid Bashir to carry out the tests on their behalf .

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A fraudster has been locked up for 28 months for trying to sit other people's driving theory tests - after serving two previous jail terms for similar crimes.
Swallaxadin Abdul Bashir, 42, attempted to sit tests while impersonating applicants at 12 locations across England between October 2018 to August 2019, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) said.
Bashir, from Coventry, was jailed at Warwick Crown Court on Wednesday after committing the offences in Nottingham, Scunthorpe, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Salisbury, York, St Helens, Cambridge, Southport and Manchester.
Theory centre staff reported the incidents to the DVSA's fraud investigation team after having suspicions that he was impersonating the genuine candidates whilst taking the tests.
Staff rejected all pass results from the tests that he carried out and in some cases he was turned away before taking the test, the DVSA said.
Bashir pleaded guilty to the offences at an earlier court hearing, which was told that investigators found evidence of people booking tests with him on his mobile phone.
West Midlands Police supported the investigation and searched Bashir's home and another property connected to him, finding distinctive items of clothing that were captured on test centre CCTV.
Bashir was previously jailed for 18 months in 2017 and two years in July 2016, and was handed a six-month suspended sentence in February 2014 for similar offences.
A court hearing in August 2017, also held at Warwick Crown Court, was told Bashir was a "one-trick pony" who had offered services to driving test applicants who had difficulty with the English language.
Andy Rice, the DVSA's head of counter fraud and investigation, said: "Theory tests are a vital way of assessing if people have the right driving knowledge and attitude to drive safely.
"Working with other agencies, we make every effort to prosecute theory test fraudsters and this significant prison sentence shows the impact of this work."
Ongoing investigations are taking place to locate and prosecute people who paid Bashir to carry out the tests on their behalf.