Cryptic Crossword

ACROSS

1. Deary me – sick without a

cure (6) 4. Round letter (8) 9. Vain sort is one over the eight, needing something for his hair? (7) 11. A cretin bungled, for sure (7) 12. He provides article on

Roman law (4) 13. Doctor meets a graduate

in tense situation (5) 14. Hit the joint after outbreak

of war (4) 17. Group leader permits melancholy, perhaps grim jokes (7,6) 19. Bad advice indeed follows first payment from defence savings (5,8) 22. Brief message saying “I’m

all right but in a frenzy” (4) 23. Defame sergeant-major,

getting attention (5) 24. Alternatively, I am backing

painter (4) 27. Wind on moon’s freakish (7) 28. Elderly fellow strode off

around lake (7) 29. Not quite the finest texts,

Ben resolved (4,4) 30. Rescue judge again? (6)

DOWN

1. About to bill for top-up (8) 2. The most healthy media

tycoon? (7) 3. Shed a tear (4) 5. Accountant in new condominium is not keeping in touch (13) 6. Witty character’s

Christmas greeting (4) 7. Hide drug in a state of

agitation (7) 8. Give new epithet to

meaner criminal (6) 10. Amazing numbers study dentistry, primarily in East Anglia (4,2,7) 15. Faithful old ally is

corrupted (5) 16. Steal fashionable bird (5) 18. Symbol made Igor angry (8) 19. Desperately hope new team will return with something from the Ashes (7) 20. Letter, first penned by

Pele possibly (7) 21. Son has mostly fruit and

fish (6) 25. Explosive device proves

to be a failure (4) 26. Mad zealot conceals

sharp tool (4)