CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Giving boost to musical student in rebellion (12) 8 Plant liable to wither without oxygen (7) 9 Sort of claret containing English syrup (7) 11 Exit, accompanied by large prize that’s been returned (10) 12 Policeman cases the Spanish food outlet (4) 14 Terminal state (8) 16 Terrible crime involving Tsarist leader, not Imperial (6) 17 Any lofty peak, principally (3) 19 Province avoids alarming nun (6) 21 Boy’s cool about unknown peeress’s address (8) 24 A donkey almost out of control (4) 25 More arithmetic with a learner (10) 27 Painter damaged leg on business (2,5) 28 A secretary has one boring problem with speech (7) 29 Representative keeps sponsor busy (12)

DOWN

1 Unemotional old boy in trio spoiled start of concert (7) 2 Coach loved Italian city’s sports arenas (10) 3 Setter is wearing wobbly tiara, having drunk this? (3,5) 4 All the nuts can be lifethreatening (6) 5 Heartlessly cut off someone with vision (4) 6 Arab supporting mad uncle’s sort of power (7) 7 Doubtful story, possibly video as well, about Troy (3,5,4) 10 Special piano ordered for member of church (12) 13 Extremely flimsy special signals used by sailors (4,6) 15 Complete a couple of lines (3) 18 Chum is adept, dropping gymnastics for fencing (8) 20 Stand-in Irishman’s up covering work with German (7) 22 Henry & Son is offering practical experience (5-2) 23 Appalling overdraft and documents showing debts (6) 26 Nasty smell coming from Lake Erie heading north (4)