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Kilt-wearing attacker smashes case holding Scotland's Stone of Destiny

Kilt-wearing attacker smashes case holding Scotland's Stone of Destiny

1News5 days ago
A man from Australia has been charged with 'malicious mischief' for allegedly smashing a glass case holding the Stone of Destiny, an ancient symbol of Scottish nationhood.
Arnaud Harixcalde Logan, 35, appeared at Perth Sheriff Court on Tuesday to face the charge, which is similar to vandalism.
Logan, whose address was given as Sydney, wasn't asked to enter a plea and was ordered detained until a hearing next week.
Police said that they were called to a 'disturbance' at Perth Museum in central Scotland on Sunday, after reports of a kilt-wearing man attempting to smash the case containing the royal rock.
The 150-kilogram sandstone block is also known as the Stone of Scone (Skoon) — and was used in the crowning ceremonies of medieval Scottish monarchs at Scone Abbey, near Perth. It was stolen by England's King Edward I in the 13th century and taken to Westminster Abbey in London, where it was installed under the seat of the coronation chair.
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It has been used in coronations at the abbey ever since, first of English and then of British monarchs. The English and Scottish crowns were united under one monarch in the 17th century.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including Trump's deadline for Russia, legal action against a supermarket giant, and an unusual marathon record. (Source: Breakfast)
The stone's presence in London long irked Scottish nationalists. In 1950, it was stolen from Westminster Abbey by four Glasgow university students, but was returned in time for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
It was given back to Scotland in 1996, 700 years after its seizure, and displayed in Edinburgh Castle, with the understanding that it would return to England for use in future coronations. Sensitivities around the stone meant that it had to be moved to London in secrecy and amid tight security for the coronation of King Charles III in 2023.
Last year it was put on display at the newly renovated Perth Museum where, according to the building's website, there are 'a range of 24/7 security measures in place at the Museum to protect this precious object'.
Culture Perth and Kinross, which oversees the museum, said the stone wasn't damaged in the incident.
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Kilt-wearing attacker smashes case holding Scotland's Stone of Destiny
Kilt-wearing attacker smashes case holding Scotland's Stone of Destiny

1News

time5 days ago

  • 1News

Kilt-wearing attacker smashes case holding Scotland's Stone of Destiny

A man from Australia has been charged with 'malicious mischief' for allegedly smashing a glass case holding the Stone of Destiny, an ancient symbol of Scottish nationhood. Arnaud Harixcalde Logan, 35, appeared at Perth Sheriff Court on Tuesday to face the charge, which is similar to vandalism. Logan, whose address was given as Sydney, wasn't asked to enter a plea and was ordered detained until a hearing next week. Police said that they were called to a 'disturbance' at Perth Museum in central Scotland on Sunday, after reports of a kilt-wearing man attempting to smash the case containing the royal rock. The 150-kilogram sandstone block is also known as the Stone of Scone (Skoon) — and was used in the crowning ceremonies of medieval Scottish monarchs at Scone Abbey, near Perth. It was stolen by England's King Edward I in the 13th century and taken to Westminster Abbey in London, where it was installed under the seat of the coronation chair. ADVERTISEMENT It has been used in coronations at the abbey ever since, first of English and then of British monarchs. The English and Scottish crowns were united under one monarch in the 17th century. The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including Trump's deadline for Russia, legal action against a supermarket giant, and an unusual marathon record. (Source: Breakfast) The stone's presence in London long irked Scottish nationalists. In 1950, it was stolen from Westminster Abbey by four Glasgow university students, but was returned in time for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. It was given back to Scotland in 1996, 700 years after its seizure, and displayed in Edinburgh Castle, with the understanding that it would return to England for use in future coronations. Sensitivities around the stone meant that it had to be moved to London in secrecy and amid tight security for the coronation of King Charles III in 2023. Last year it was put on display at the newly renovated Perth Museum where, according to the building's website, there are 'a range of 24/7 security measures in place at the Museum to protect this precious object'. Culture Perth and Kinross, which oversees the museum, said the stone wasn't damaged in the incident.

A ‘juxtaposition of the grim and the bling' - Laos casino city accused of cybercrime hub amid crackdown
A ‘juxtaposition of the grim and the bling' - Laos casino city accused of cybercrime hub amid crackdown

NZ Herald

time6 days ago

  • NZ Herald

A ‘juxtaposition of the grim and the bling' - Laos casino city accused of cybercrime hub amid crackdown

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WWI veteran's medals returned to grandson after theft
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1News

time12-07-2025

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WWI veteran's medals returned to grandson after theft

World War I medals stolen from the mailbox of a veteran's grandson have been anonymously returned to a war memorial museum in Wellsford, police say. The medals belonging to decorated soldier Elmer James Conlon were discovered in the returns bin at Wellsford War Memorial Museum yesterday. On Wednesday, grandson Pat Conlon made a report to police after the valuable parcel, containing the medals, was allegedly stolen from his mailbox. Pat told Breakfast earlier this week the theft was "gut-wrenching". Police then appealed to the public for information that could help locate the medals, or for any locals to report if they'd seen any suspicious activity in the area on the date of the theft. Photographs of Pat Conlon's grandfather, Elmer James Conlon. (Source: 1News) ADVERTISEMENT Yesterday, police were contacted by Wellsford War Memorial Museum staff "advising that the medals had been located in their returns bin". Senior Sergeant Damian Lawn said it appeared someone had dropped them off overnight at the museum. "We're pleased that whoever took these medals did the right thing and returned them – obviously they are hugely significant to Mr Conlon and we are glad to be able to reunite him with them," he said in a media release. Police have fingerprinted the medals and are continuing inquiries into the theft. Earlier, police had established the parcel had been delivered on July 1, but had then gone missing before the war veteran's grandson could collect it. 'Gut-wrenching' loss for veteran's grandson Speaking to Breakfast earlier this week, before the medals were found, Pat said it was "gut-wrenching" to have his grandfather's war medals stolen moments before he was due to be reunited with them after more than 40 years. ADVERTISEMENT Pat Conlon said his grandfather's medals were stolen moments before he was due to pick them up after more than 40 years. (Source: Breakfast) The medals had been lost to the family for decades but, after a long search, they were finally tracked down and sent by courier to Pat. Just metres from their destination, the priceless family heirloom was stolen from a rural mailbox near Wellsford — before Pat could reach them. 'They were the only thing I had from my grandfather,' Pat said. 'To think they were finally coming back built my hopes up — I was overjoyed about the whole thing.' Elmer James Conlon, originally from Brooklyn, New York, served in the American Navy aboard the battleship Louisiana. He "jumped ship" in Auckland, New Zealand, and eventually settled in the small Northland town of Herekino. To gain New Zealand citizenship, Elmer fought in the First World War, including at the Battle of the Somme, where he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his service. He is buried in the Soldiers' Section at Hamilton Gardens. Additional reporting by Marlo Donoghue ADVERTISEMENT

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