Smoke ban First

A pensioner believed to be the first person in Scotland to appear in court for allegedly flouting the smoking ban has denied the offence.

John Wraith, 66, is charged with smoking in the Burnett Arms Hotel in Kemnay, Aberdeenshire, on 3 January.

He is also alleged to have repeatedly thrown glass tumblers at a woman in his local bar when asked to leave.

Mr Wraith denied the allegations during a hearing at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Wednesday, which was No Smoking Day.

Sheriff Alexander Jessop continued the case to trial until 27 March - the day after the first anniversary of the ban.