A man jailed for murdering his wife 10 years ago has lost his appeal to have his conviction overturned.  Nat Fraser, a 49 year old businessman from Elgin, was sentenced to life in 2003 after he was found guilty of killing Arlene.  Her body has never been found.

In response, Grampian Police have issued the following statement. 

"This result means that Nat Fraser will continue to pay for his crime. This must be a source of comfort to Arlene's family who have had to endure considerable pain and anxiety throughout the Appeal period.

"Their support for Grampian Police has been unstinting and their patience and strength have been quite remarkable. We hope that in some way today's verdict will help them close one traumatic chapter of their lives.

"This outcome recognises the hard work and commitment of the Arlene Fraser inquiry team which demonstrated, throughout, a commendable level of determination and professionalism in the face of a difficult and complex investigation."

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Talks regarding the future of Aberdeen's closure-threatened forensic lab will be held today.  North east MSP Mike Rumbles is meeting with the chief executive of the Scottish Police Services Authority, and the director of forensic services to discuss the Nelson Street department.  The finger-print facility could close and be relocated to Dundee. 

A residential school for vulnerable youngsters could close while plans to redevelop it are considered.  Oakbank School in Aberdeen caters for children with behavioural difficulties. A feasibility study is set to be carried out on its future.

Aberdeen's jail is the most overcrowded in Scotland.  The majority of the country's prisons are congested but Craiginches has the worst occupancy rate at 158%.  7 out of 10 inmates there are forced to double up in singles cells.  There are, of course, plans to replace Aberdeen and Peterhead prisons with a new "superjail"

A 15 year old girl, who died in a road crash on Sunday night, has now been named.  Lauren Roberts of Cruden Bay was a passenger in 1 of 2 vehicles that collided on the A90, near the entrance to Peterhead power station.  3 other teenagers, and the 23 year old driver of the other vehicle, were injured. A detailed police investigation is continuing to establish the exact cause of a crash.

A long-awaited inquiry into the cause of the Nimrod crash in Afghanistan, which killed 14 service personnel including 12 based at RAF Kinloss, has started.  The wreckage of the plane was found 12 miles west of Kandahar in the south of the country in September 2006. The investigation will be conducted by Oxford Coroners Office and is expected to take several weeks.    

Aberdeenshire Council is to hold sessions aimed at encouraging people to consider becoming foster parents. Informal meetings will be held in Fraserburgh on 12th May, Peterhead on 13th May and Turriff on 23rd.  For more information on the fostering service you can log onto Aberdeenshire.gov.uk/children