A man suffered bleeding on the brain and was in a medical-induced coma for eight hours as doctors fought to save his life.

An assault victim nearly died after he was battered on the head with a hammer in Larkhall.

William Macaulay’s victim suffered bleeding on the brain and was in a medical-induced coma for eight hours as doctors fought to save his life.

Macaulay, 38, was jailed for two years and eight months at Hamilton Sheriff Court.

He admitted assaulting the man to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and the danger of his life.

It happened in Hawick Crescent, near Macaulay’s home, shortly before midnight on July 19.

Katie Allen, prosecuting, said the men were known to each other but had fallen out.

The victim and a woman went to Macaulay’s home and the men challenged each other to fight.

Ms Allen told the court: “The accused ran towards [the victim], shouting.

“He was in possession of a hammer and struck [the victim] on the head with it before running away.

“Residents in the street heard the disturbance and saw the complainer lying on the ground.

“He had head injuries and was struggling to breathe.

“He was taken to hospital and his condition was said to be life-threatening.

“He had numerous wounds to his head and a fractured eye socket.

“There was a significant risk of death due to complicated brain injuries.”

READ MORE: £7.2m of Easter improvements for Scotland’s railway includes Lanarkshire changesREAD MORE: Lots on at the National Museum of Rural Life in East Kilbride

Defence solicitor Ian Brechany said Macaulay saw the victim with two bottles and went into his house to get the hammer “for protection”.

Mr Brechany stated: “He accepts he swung the hammer but it was not his intention to strike him on the head.

“Dreadful injuries were sustained and it could all have been avoided if my client hadn’t gone out of the house.

“His previous convictions do him no credit. He is a persistent offender.”

Jailing Macaulay, Sheriff John Speir told him: “It’s fortunate this didn’t result in the complainer’s death. You have a bad record.”

The 32-month sentence was backdated as Macaulay has been in custody since his arrest in July.

*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.

READ MORE: New series from Coatbridge comic book king Mark Millar is filled with local place names

“Fluting continues to evolve as a sophisticated design detail in interiors and is appreciated for the way it introduces texture and movement into a space,” explains Bo Hellberg, CMO at Scandinavian brand String Furniture. “In 2026, its appeal lies in subtlety with soft vertical lines that catch the light, add depth and gently break up flat surfaces.” He adds: “Rooted in Greek architecture and Mid-Century design, fluting now feels quite contemporary, bringing warmth and tactility to clean and minimal interiors.”

Separately, in a letter to the force, shared exclusively with the BBC, lawyers Leigh Day said: “We appreciate the Modern Slavery Act came into force in July 2015 and that the Act itself is not retrospective in relation to historic allegations. However, it does, crucially, provide investigators a prism or lens to look at patterns of behaviour that might otherwise be investigated as ‘historic sexual abuse’ or ‘sexual misconduct’.”

As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our
articles.

Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local
services.

These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience – the local
community.

It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need
as much support as possible during these challenging times.

The phenomenon happens when the dust from North Africa deserts travels on warm southerly air currents

Advertisement

Brits might have to clean their cars – but they will see some dazzling sunsets thanks to a unique weather phenomenon. It has been reported that Saharan dust is drifting across the country, and will paint the skies with deep gold, amber, and burnt orange.

The dust is made up of fine sand and mineral particles from deserts of North Africa, travelling thousands of miles on warm southerly air currents. BBC weather revealed that as it moves across the UK, it is expected to change the look of sunrises and sunsets this week.

However, the downside of Saharan dust is that when it mixes with rain, it can leave dirty residue on surfaces. This includes cars and windows in a phenomenon known as blood rain.

The brightest colours are expected on Thursday (March 5) and continuing into Friday (March 6), especially when skies are clear at sunrise and sunset. The colourful skies will be clearer in England and Wales as cooler conditions arrive from the west by the end of the week.

Over the past few days Iberia has been hit by Storm Regina, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and widespread disruption. As the storm moved eastward into the western Mediterranean, it drew up warm southerly winds from North Africa, lifting fine Saharan dust high into the air.

Advertisement

This dust will now drift towards the UK around an area of high pressure that is currently delivering fine, mild, and sunny conditions. According to BBC Weather the striking colours appear high in the atmosphere, where the Saharan dust stays suspended for several kilometres before gradually drifting and settling.

These tiny particles scatter sunlight, filtering out the shorter blue and violet wavelengths and letting the longer red and orange tones appear.

A frequent phenomenon, these weather events usually occur a few times each year. Marks left by blood rain sometimes requiring a wash to remove.

It is however reportedly harmless posing no health risk for most people.

The most successful jockey ever at the Cheltenham Festival shares his thoughs on some of the races at next week’s jumps extravaganza

Legendary former jockey Ruby Walsh says there is a ‘no-brainer’ bet at next week’s Cheltenham Festival which punters must take advantage of. Since he retired from the saddle in 2019 as the most successful jockey ever at the Cheltenham Festival with 59 winners, Walsh has become a hugely respected TV pundit, working for RacingTV and ITV Racing.

In that capacity his views around the Cheltenham Festival are always hugely sought after, particularly given his continued close connections with the stable of Willie Mullins. In an interview ahead of the four day fixture he offered his opinions on some of the key races, and named some his best bets of the week.

READ MORE: Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer attacked dog walker on his land with hockey stick, court toldREAD MORE: Former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace installed early favourite for vacant BHA role

TUESDAY Arkle Trophy This is a cracking contest, but I think it will be competitive. I am a converted Kopek Des Bordes fan. I wasn’t so sure jumping hurdles last year that fences would be for him. I thought he was fine at Navan. Then he picked up an injury. He schooled much better at Punchestown and I thought he was very good at Fairyhouse last week. You would love it if he’d had another run or two but I think he has a huge engine and when I look at the opposition I don’t think any of the others would win the Champion Hurdle, when I think he actually could. I think he’ll be too good for them.

Advertisement

Champion Hurdle Tutti Quanti would want slower ground and I think it will be drying a bit for Brighterdaysahead too. She’s best on softish ground. I’ve always been of the opinion that Lossiemouth is better over two and a half miles. I keep going back to The New Lion. He does have a step in him, he does take the odd chance but ultimately I would say he is the best horse in the race. Golden Ace, who won last year, is a good mare but I think The New Lion will be too good for her and the Skeltons will land themselves the Champion Hurdle.

WEDNESDAY Queen Mother Champion Chase It’s disappointing we won’t have Marine Nationale and this looks like Majborough’s to lose. The Champion Chase has a funny record of favourites blowing out in the last couple of years but I did think the cheekpieces turned Majborough inside out at the Dublin Racing Festival. He got into a wonderful rhythm, he galloped and jumped and I just think he will outclass the opposition. Looking at the opposition, if Majborough gets into a rhythm anything like he did at the DRF he’ll be impossible to beat.

Advertisement

THURSDAY Ryanair Chase It’s ‘non-runner no bet’ [non-runner, money back], Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior, and one or the other is going to run here and I think by the time the declarations come and this market is reformed, whichever one is declared will be a lot shorter than they are now. So the ‘non-runner, no bet’ concession is a giveaway here. I know you have to put up your stake and not get it back till next Thursday but I do think you’ll be holding 5-4 Gaelic Warrior, 4-7 Fact To File. Gaelic Warrior will definitely be odds-on but I think Fact To File will be 1-3 or even shorter if he goes here. I think that’s a no-brainer myself.

FRIDAY Cheltenham Gold Cup Gaelic Warrior is now the favourite, Jango Baie was the favourite, The Jukebox Man will probably be favourite in a couple of hours time, it’s that kind of race. Inothewayurthinkin, I know all the vibes are very positive but using my own eyes it’s really hard to make a case for him. He was brilliant here last year but on his three starts this year, you couldn’t really fancy him. I think Galopin Des Champs is in better form now than on any of his two starts in Leopardstown. I think he looks stronger, he looks better and he’s showing plenty of spark at home. I think he won’t be far away and at the odds right now he is the one I’d like to be with. Haiti Couleurs will stay, I don’t know if he’s fast enough. Spillane’s Tower and Grey Dawning will have to improve a good bit on the Cotswold Chase to get involved in this. Fact To File or Gaelic Warrior would interest me. It’ll be an interesting race to watch. There are a couple of guaranteed stayers there and I would imagine Paul Townend and Sean Bowen will be wanting to test the stamina of The Jukebox Man, Gaelic Warrior or Fact To File. At the minute I would be siding with Galopin but if Gaelic Warrior comes here I can see him getting involved.

Racing TV is the only channel broadcasting all 28 races live from the Cheltenham Festival, with coverage starting at 9:45am daily. Click here to enjoy unrivalled coverage

When should children be wearing sun cream?

Where and when to put sun cream on children

Which sun cream is best?

Childs Farm SPF 50+ Sun Cream

NIVEA Sun Kids Protect & Care SPF 50+ Roll On

Soltan Active 8 Hour Protect Suncare Stick SPF50+

Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF 50+ Sensitive Advanced Sun Cream Kids Anti-Sand Mist

At a time when few seem willing to risk the wrath of the US president, Spain is an outlier.

For several days following the start of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, the country felt like a lone EU voice questioning the legality of the operation.

Iran latest: Iran close to picking new leader

Then it went further, refusing to let the Americans use Spanish bases to launch their military operations.

Donald Trump rewarded these actions by threatening Spain with a trade war.

“We’re going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don’t want anything to do with Spain,” he said while flanked by a conspicuously silent German chancellor.

But Spain isn’t budging. Today, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez addressed the nation, summing up his position in four words, “no to the war”.

He said this stance was by no means a sign of support for the Ayotollahs; instead, he was calling on Iran, Israel and the US to stop the fighting before it was too late.

“Twenty-three years ago, another US administration dragged us into a war with the Middle East. It triggered the largest wave of insecurity our continent has experienced since the fall of the Berlin Wall,” Mr Sanchez said.

He also warned that the war risked “playing Russian roulette” with millions of lives.

Clearly not afraid to challenge the US president further, he said governments were meant to improve people’s lives and provide solutions to problems, not make them worse, adding: “It is unacceptable that leaders who are incapable of fulfilling their duties try to cover up their failure with the smoke of war.”

Ouch!

Share

Advertisement

Can the ‘special relationship’ survive war in the Middle East?

👉 Follow Trump100 on your podcast app 👈

Trump isn’t used to being so openly defied. As I write, we are still awaiting his reaction to this morning’s speech, but it feels unlikely that he will let it pass unchallenged.

Others have already reacted, the Spanish vice president of the European Commission, Teresa Ribera, throwing her weight behind her country, denouncing Trump’s threats as detrimental to global stability.

“The tension arising from this way of relating to third parties, whether it be British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, or Pedro Sanchez, is deeply disruptive for societies, for peace, cooperation, and also for the economy,” she said.

Meanwhile, sources in France and Spain told us the French president was planning on calling Sanchez to show his allegiance.

In a softer tone last night, Emmanuel Macron joined the Spanish prime minister in calling the legality of the strikes into question, concluding that they were conducted “outside of international law” and that Paris “cannot approve of them”.

But what about Germany – the EU’s biggest beast?

While Friedrich Merz didn’t join Trump in his criticism of the Spanish stance on Iran, Germany’s chancellor certainly didn’t jump to Spain’s defence.

In fact, he later mentioned that they were still negotiating with Madrid to up their NATO contributions – another sore spot for the US president.

Read more from Sky News:
Was Iran ‘days’ from atomic weapons?
US allies fear shortage of weapons
Is AI giving US lethal edge in Iran?

When questioned by reporters about this later, the chancellor said he addressed the attacks on Spain and the UK in private, reminding Donald Trump that Spain is an EU member, so cannot be singled out for treatment.

“I did not want to escalate or prolong the debate publicly,” Merz explained.

While his reasoning – that an open challenge to Trump would have likely just enflamed the situation – makes sense given the experience of Zelenskyy last year, the Spanish are unimpressed.

Spain’s foreign minister expressed his “surprise” at the chancellor’s behaviour, pointedly remarking: “I cannot imagine Chancellor (Angela) Merkel or (Olaf) Scholz making such remarks.”

While other Spanish sources went further, saying: “Merz had an attitude not befitting a European leader who defends the unity of his partners.”

It seems by deciding not to antagonise Donald Trump, Friedrich Merz has put himself firmly in Madrid’s firing line.

Wales head to Dublin as underdogs again, having not won a Six Nations match in almost three years

Wales great Jamie Roberts says Steve Tandy’s side are working towards claiming a major scalp and believes they could run Ireland close in Dublin on Friday night.

Despite a much-improved performance against Scotland last time out, Tandy’s men head to the Aviva Stadium as major underdogs, having not won a Six Nations match in three years. Ireland, meanwhile, come into the game off the back of a record 42-21 away win against England, with Andy Farrell’s side running riot in a superb display at Twickenham.

As a result, Wales – who suffered heavy defeats to England and France before running Scotland close in Cardiff – have been widely written off ahead of Friday’s clash.

But Roberts has been encouraged by what he has seen from Tandy’s side and, while he can’t quite see Wales pulling off a major upset, he doesn’t expect there to be much in it come the full-time whistle in Dublin.

JOIN OUR WALES RUGBY FACEBOOK PAGE Latest news, analysis and much more

“I think it’s going to be a one-score game,” the 94-cap international told the Ireland Rugby Social podcast. “I think Ireland sneak it, 2012 is the last time Wales won there.

“I want to see Wales improve on their performance against Scotland and I’m confident they will.

“But I just think Ireland now, because they’ve got a sniff of silverware [the Triple Crown], they are going to be super motivated for this. I’m going to go Ireland 26-20 Wales.”

Former Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray, on co-hosting duties with Gavin Andrews, plumped for a slightly more convincing margin of victory for Farrell’s side, predicting a 36-24 win for the hosts.

Roberts added that he was confident that Wales would be able to end their dismal losing run before too long, claiming that “the scalp is coming”.

However, with an impressive Italy side last up for Wales, whether that result comes during the Six Nations or not remains to be seen.

“We’ve seen the way Wales are going to play moving forward, especially coming up to the World Cup next year,” the former British & Irish Lions centre said.

“A bit like the great Ireland sides of recent years, a lot of ball movement, running lines, decoy shape, quick ball and trying to go multi-phase. They showed some great stuff against Scotland and deserved to win it.

“The scalp is coming,” he added. “It’s just a question of when and if it’s going to be in this tournament.”

Follow all of our channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Welsh rugby news. Sign up to our free daily newsletter here and our WhatsApp channel here for all the breaking news.