Legal news from the Scottish Press

Police ban ‘unreliable’ car speed detectors - The Herald
Police forces were yesterday advised by chief officers to halt the use of commonly employed speed detection devices because of reliability problems. In a move that could trigger appeals against a host of speeding convictions and open the floodgates for multi-million pound compensation claims, the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland advised the nation's eight police forces that Vascar (Vehicle Average Speed Computer and Recorder), Police Pilot and Provida should not be used.

Jury sees images of head found on beach - Times online
A jury at a murder trial was shown photographs yesterday of a woman's severed head lying on a beach wrapped in a black rubbish bag.Philip Brown, a manager, told the High Court in Edinburgh that police showed him pictures of the gruesome find - and he realised the dead woman was one of his migrant workers from Lithuania

Thousands To Escape Speed Fines - Daily Record
THOUSANDS of drivers could have their speeding convictions overturned, it was revealed last night. Traffic cops across Scotland have been ordered to stop using the VASCAR speed detection system after fears it may be affected by police radio waves.

In use for 30 years, but are speed units accurate? - The Herald
They are the speed detectors that police in the UK have been using in some cases for 30 years. Now their reliability is being questioned after the professional voice of police leadership in Scotland advised forces to stop using the Vascar (Vehicle Average Speed Computer and Recorder), Police Pilot and Provida speed scanners while a "potential issue" is resolved.

Drinks manufacturers face legal ban on sponsoring youth events-  The Scotsman
DRINKS companies will be stopped from sponsoring events with a "particular appeal" to under-18s under guidelines to promote responsible drinking. An agreement drawn up by the Scottish Government and Alcohol Industry Partnership also means companies will have to make greater efforts to encourage safer drinking in their promotional material.

Girl Locked Up For Calling Sheriff 'Idiot'  - Daily Record 
A GIRL of 16 was behind bars last night after calling a sheriff a "f*****g idiot". First offender Clare McWhirter, of Girvan, Ayrshire, was appearing at Ayr Sheriff Court on deferred sentence for breach of the peace. Sheriff John Montgomery was ready to defer sentence on her for threemonths for good behaviour when she rolled her eyes and scowled at the sheriff.