Police yesterday revealed details of the largest-ever cannabis factory uncovered in Scotland. In an unprecedented operation, an organised crime gang was alleged to be cultivating vast quantities of the drug with a street value of £1.2m.

Kevin Neeson used to get arrested almost every single day. When he avoided the cells it was simply because he had managed to avoid being caught. He was one of the first young people in Scotland to receive a Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Asbo). He says it made no difference at all.

The chances of a man accused of rape being convicted in Scotland’s courts are smaller than ever, “shameful” figures have revealed. While 975 rapes were reported to police in 2005-6, only 38 people were found guilty – a conviction rate of 3.9 per cent.

Life is set to get easier for the elderly and infirm as technology which can open jars, monitor medication and protect them from dangers including cookers and overflowing baths is due to reach British shelves in the next five years.

Responding to the Scottish Conservative Party’s manifesto, Jane McCready, Chair of RCN Scotland said: “We welcome the manifesto’s emphasis on funding mental health services and the plan to support affordable housing for key workers.

As nurses across Scotland take part in election hustings to meet their candidates for the forthcoming Scottish Parliament elections, new research shows that they are not convinced that nursing will be a priority for political parties.

Southern Cross Healthcare (SCH), the UK’s largest care home operator, said it had struck a deal with rival Focus Healthcare Group to manage 29 additional homes.

They are, many believe, the statistics that say most about today’s Scotland. Fully 50,000 of this country’s children are growing up in homes where there are drugs. Perhaps 100,000 more know an aunt, a brother or another close relative who is addicted.

The machetes are worst. As heavy as they are sharp, they cleave cheeks and split jaws – mash faces. Victims never look the same again, their twisted smiles revealing the true scale of Scotland’s toll of violent crime.

Prescription charges in Scotland rose by 20p to £6.85 per item yesterday, the same day the Welsh Assembly scrapped the charges altogether. There were fresh calls yesterday for charges to be scrapped across the NHS in the wake of the Welsh decision.