David Gilroy sentencing to be televised – Hustings – Pandas – New Hotel opens – Easter Holiday suggestion
Last month David Gilroy was convicted of murdering Suzanne Pilley who went missing from her office in Thistle Street, and whose body has not ever been found. Now STV have been granted permission to televise the judge, Lord Bracadale, who will sentence Gilroy in the High Court next week. But the proceedings will not be shown live, and the camera will only show the judge .
The Judicial Office for Scotland said:-“The camera will focus on the judge and no other person will feature in the footage except the Macer and the Clerk. The accused will not be filmed.
Filming will commence when the plea in mitigation has concluded.
The footage will be made available immediately afterwards via satellite feed.
This is the first time that permission has been granted to film during a sentencing diet in the High Court.”
An STV spokesperson said: “This is the first time in the UK that TV news cameras have been allowed to film a sentencing in a criminal court, and we’re pleased that STV has been instrumental in making that happen.
“This development will allow viewers a rare insight into the closing stages of what has been a very controversial murder case.”
Now The Daily Record reports that the actual trial of Nat Fraser due to start on 23 April may be shown on TV. Fraser is accused of murdering his wife Arlene, whose body has never been found since she disappeared in 1998. So perhaps this decision is the thin end of the wedge?
***
Tonight there is a local government hustings taking place at Restalrig Road convened by Craigentinny and Restalrig Residents Group within the Craigentinny and Portobello Ward. There are eight candidates in this ward. Our list will take you to an individual profile of each one of them.
Craigentinny/Duddingston Ward (3 councillors will represent this ward)
Kevin Ferguson – Scottish Anti-Cuts Coalition
Joan Griffiths – Scottish Labour Party
Jason Lingiah – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
Alex Lunn – Scottish Labour Party
John Palmer – Scottish Green Party
Gary John Peacock – Scottish Liberal Democrats
Stefan Tymkewycz – Scottish National Party (SNP)
Colin Williamson – Scottish National Party (SNP)
***
The Scotsman explains that The Scottish Government has been accused by the Advertising Standards Agency of misleading the public by publishing an advert which suggested the pandas were a gift from China, rather than clarifying that they will in fact cost the Zoo £600,000 a year. Visitor numbers to the Zoo have increased as a result of the new visitors.
***
Whitbread PLC has opened a new Premier Inn hotel on Princes Street. The hotel will create 32 jobs within the community, bringing a total of £8.4 million into the local economy.
The brand new 97 bedroom hotel at number 122 enjoys fabulous views of the Castle. A short walk from Edinburgh Waverley Rail Station in the heart of Edinburgh’s city centre, and situated in the heart of city centre shopping.
Alisa Riva, Manager of Premier Inn hotel on Princes Street Edinburgh commented: “We are delighted to welcome another hotel to the capital. The fantastic location and incredible views of the castle means it’s perfectly situated for all types of guests whether they are here for business or leisure. Premier Inn Edinburgh Princes Street provides guests with affordable accommodation that does not compromise on quality and we look forward to welcoming guests from March.”
***
For some it is still the Easter holidays and we could give you no better recommendation than take those active children out to the Museum of Flight where there is lots to see and plenty of room to run around too. There are more than 85 planes including the venerable Concorde. More details on what you can see including buying tickets online here.
