FIVE men, aged between 23 and 31, are to appear at Hamilton Sheriff Court today in connection with the death of Paul Todd, 16, of Coalhall Avenue, Newarthill, North Lanarkshire, who was found with serious injuries following an incident in Oakdene Crescent, Newarthill, on Sunday, July 1, and later died in Monklands hospital, Airdrie.

Atkinson unhurt in racing crash

CAR enthusiast Rowan Atkinson escaped unhurt after crashing his Aston Martin at the Croft Racing Circuit in County Durham yesterday. Better known for driving a Mini in the role of Mr Bean, Atkinson had the near miss when his car left the track and hit a barrier.

Festival-goer on stab charges

A 23-year-old man has been charged with trying to murder three people during the T in the Park music festival. John Cross is alleged to have stabbed three men with a knife or similar weapon on Saturday. Mr Cross, of Stonehouse, Glasgow, appeared at Perth Sheriff Court yesterday. He was one of 20 people in court in connection with alleged offences at the festival.

Illness holds up Archer trial

The Lord Archer perjury trial at the Old Bailey was adjourned until 10am today after a doctor declared one of the jurors unfit to sit. Nicholas Purnell, defending, did not restart his closing speech, which he began on Friday. The jury was told that one of its number was unwell but that the judge hoped he would be able to start again today.

Cocaine vaccine trials resume

CLINICAL trials of TA-CD, the first vaccine against cocaine addiction, are to resume. Tests on UK firm Xenova Group's vaccine were halted by America's FDA last August after a related product caused eye irritation in rabbits. No such effects were observed with the cocaine vaccine, however.

Armed police at flat siege

ARMED police were last night called to a siege at an address in Lauriston Park, Edinburgh, which began at 7.20pm.

One man was led out of a flat at around 9pm. It is believed two others were still in the building.