TEENAGER Karen Henderson, whose father comes from Glasgow, is to go on trial in Moscow on October 15 charged with smuggling 10lbs of cocaine into Russia from Cuba.

Miss Henderson, 18, a student in Holland, claims the drug was planted on her. She has been held in prison since her arrest in Moscow in February.

Cocaine haul

IRISH customs said yesterday that more cocaine found hidden aboard the converted trawler Sea Mist in Cork could now bring the total haul to nearly half a ton, worth up to #200m. Five people have been arrested.

Van overloaded

TRAVELLING salesman Brian O'Neil, 40, of Ravensby Park Gardens, Carnoustie, was fined #450 at Perth Sheriff Court yesterday for overloading his Transit van. The court heard it was carrying 15 people.

Alarm missing

FIREFIGHTERS investigating Monday's fatal blaze in a flat at Raes Gardens, Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, said yesterday they found parts of a smoke alarm were missing and that the likely cause of the tradedy was a dropped cigarette. The victim was named as Mr Graham Kay, 50.

Man remanded

AUCHINLECK man Justin McPheators, 23, of Hillside Crescent, was remanded when he appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court yesterday charged with attempting to murder Andrew Drummond by striking him on the face with a brick in Aird Avenue, Auchinleck, on September 19.

Charity call

EDINBURGH-based student charity Children's Holiday Venture, which takes youngsters from city housing estates on holiday, is seeking volunteers and sponsors to abseil from the Caledonian Mills in Leith Docks on October 12.

Pulling power

A NEW mobile dental surgery serving the Borders was launched yesterday by Scottish Office health minister Lord James Douglas-Hamilton. It replaces a 20-year-old caravan.

Post early

TODAY is the deadline for sending Christmas cards to Australia and New Zealand by surface mail.