SACKED Edinburgh University psychology lecturer Chris Brand met his lawyers yesterday, but declined to say if he would be appealing against his dismissal.

University Principal Sir Stewart Sutherland dismissed him after an inquiry into his alleged ''disgraceful conduct'', in particular relating to comments on paedophilia. Mr Brand, 50, said yesterday he hoped to make a statement later this week.

Six held

SIX men accused of murder made a brief private appearance at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court yesterday. Mr Terry Collins, 22, his 16-year-old brother Stuart Collins, Mr John Watson, 19, and Mr John O'Donnell, 22, all of Kirkcaldy's Leslie Street appeared with Mr Steven Keir, 21, of the town's Methven Place, and Mr Kabasele Kabalu, 21, of Methilhaven Road, Methil. All six were charged after the death in Burntisland on Friday of local man Derek Sweet, 26. The men made no pleas or declarations and were remanded in custody.

Missing man

Fears are growing for the safety of Mr Robert Porter, 62, of Glenrothes, who has been missing for a week. Heavily built Mr Porter, who has been unwell recently and is on medication, was last seen leaving the home he shares with his brother and sister-in-law in the town's Cluny Place, at 10am on Monday, August 4. He is bald with a prominent carbuncle on top of his head. When last seen he was wearing a silver/grey anorak and grey trousers. Police are appealing for anyone who thinks they may have seen him to get in touch.

Bid for station

MUSSELBURGH is a potential site for Edinburgh's new Parkway station. East Lothian Council has discussed the #3.5m scheme with the Great North Eastern Railway (GNER), which wants a new station for the main London line with better road access and parking than is available at the city's Waverley or Haymarket stations.

Girl assaulted

DETECTIVES are hunting a man who indecently assaulted a 14 year-old girl in West Pilton Park, Edinburgh. Police believe a woman pushing a buggy near West Pilton Grove may have seen the incident. Another possible witness may have been a man walking a mongrel dog. The assailant is described as 5ft 8ins tall, 25 to 30 years old with broad shoulders and short dark hair.

Russian arrests

RUSSIAN crime boss Edward Zhabin, 28, and six others were arrested in Siberia after cocaine worth #26m was discovered by Customs staff at Felixstowe. The drugs, bound for Russia, had been shipped in pineapple tins.

Thief jailed

A MAN who stole an air pistol, a saxophone, cameras and CD players was jailed for nine months yesterday. Steven Irving, 25, admitted a break-in at Edinburgh's Wanted for Cash shop on March 24 last year. Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard that the loss to the shop totalled #1450. Irving, of the city's Lochend Gardens, also pled guilty to committing the offence while on bail and missing a court diet on May 12.

Drug admission

Drug dealer Mohammed Younis was yesterday jailed for 42 months after he admitted trafficking in drugs. The High Court in Glasgow heard Younis, 32, of Stirlingfauld Place, Gorbals, had cannabis worth #3760 in his sofa.

Soro on its way

AN oil tanker was under way again yesterday after breaking down for more than 12 hours near the Fair Isle channel. The 300,000 tonne, Panama-registered Soro suffered engine cooling failure on Sunday.