Police Appeal For Missing Man

Police are appealing for help in tracing a missing man from Blackpool.

Hassan Lakhlifi, 20, was last seen on Talbot Road at 9am on Wednesday, 30 September.

He is described as 6ft, medium build with short black hair.

He was last seen wearing a grey Nike tracksuit top, grey Nike tracksuit bottoms, a navy blue Regatta fleece, blue Nike trainers and a stud earing.

PC 481 Steve Higgs said: "We are getting increasingly concerned for Mr Lakhlifi's welfare, particularly as he hasn't been in touch with his family which is unlike him."

Anyone with information can call police on 101 quoting incident reference LC-20150930-1525.

Footballer Rape Conviction Referred For Appeal

Footballer Ched Evans is to have his rape conviction reviewed by the Court of Appeal.

Following a ten month long investigation, the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has decided to refer the case on for appeal.

The referral is made on the basis of new information which was not raised at trial, and which in the view of the Commission, could have added support to Mr Evans's defence at trial and therefore raises a real possibility.

Richard Foster, Chair of the Criminal Cases Review Commission, said: "The decision of the Commission is not a judgment on guilt or innocence in relation to Ched Evans, nor is it a judgment about the honesty or integrity of the victim or any other person involved in the case.

"Our role is to consider applications to see if, in our judgment, there is any basis on which to ask the court to hear a fresh appeal – that is our statutory responsibility.

"In this case we have identified new material which was not considered by the jury at trial and which in our view might have assisted the defence. In those circumstances, it is right and proper for the matter to be before the Court so that they can decide whether or not the new information should affect the verdict in this case."

Edinburgh Bus Lanes Open To Motorbikes

Bus lanes in Edinburgh have been opened to motorbikes as part of a nine-month trial.

Another trial has also been launched which will see most all day bus lanes changed to peak period lanes in order to standardise operating hours.

Under the trial, all day bus lanes, which currently operate 7:30am – 6:30pm on Mondays to Fridays and 8:30am – 6:30pm on Saturdays, will be changed to 7:30am – 9:30am and 4:00pm – 6:30pm on Mondays to Fridays.

Transport Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds, said: "The different operating hours that apply to bus lanes can cause confusion. We are therefore running a trial to have 90% of bus lanes operating at peak periods only. The purpose of this is to see if standardised operating hours will make it simpler for drivers, without impacting adversely on bus journey times or compromising the safety of cyclists and pedestrians.

"By allowing motorcyclists to use bus lanes we will also be making their journeys both safer and quicker, with little or no impact on buses. Both trials will be closely monitored throughout to assess the impact on all road users."

The changes follow a review of Edinburgh's 65km of bus lanes, 60% of which are currently peak period only.

(LM/CD)