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)