A penniless man managed to con posh Edinburgh hotels out of over £1000, Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard today.

Pampreet Singh Pooni, 38, lost his job as a well-paid financial analyst in 2001. He had just been let out of jail for a different scam, and was on license (like parole) with another 224 days left of his sentence. He was refused help with accomodation by authorities, so understandably he decided to treat himself to 5 star luxury.

Unfortunately he was tracked down by police, and the high life was brought short. The Sheriff seems to have decided that, with so many people being made redundant from financial services, a strong example needs to be made - Mr Pooni will be jailed for a whopping 6 months on top of the 224 days left of his old sentence. Bastard!

Better luck next time Mr Pooni!

full story:
http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/breaking-news/Fraudster-ran-up-1000-bi...

Moves to tighten up powers to prevent "extremists" to enter the UK: "expected to strengthen the rules on excluding from Britain those who are 'suspected of stirring up tensions'. The move will cover anti-abortionists, animal rights extremists, neo-Nazis as well as extremist clerics."

The change is aimed at reversing the burden of proof so that people now have to prove that they "refute accusations made against them by publicly denouncing or retracting their reported views. At present the Home Office has to provide evidence that the individual holds the views ascribed to them. Individuals may have to make a statement of their attachment to democratic values to prove their change of heart is genuine."

"Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist party?"

• Guardian