Diversity forum inspires pupils

Students hail summit’s top speakers

USA which took place at the renowned Strath resort last month.

Well-known speakers from across the world – including Scotland’s First Minster Nicola Sturgeon – shared their perspectives on inclusion and diversity, and on how practical changes can be made to keep the conversations surrounding the issues going across society.

Community School of Auchterarder English teacher Grace Crook and head boy and girl Tom Cownie and Jess Fyfe were said to be inspired by the experience.

Ms Crook told the Herald: “It was for the financial community but the Community School of Auchterarder received invitations for the head boy and girl because they are representative of the rising generation, and they will have to make lots of choices about how to involve all kinds of diversity when they are in the workplace and beyond.

“It was really inspirational.”

Jess said: “It was brilliant to hear about all the different ways you can promote diversity within business.”

Tom added: “There were lots of good guest speakers, such as Martina Navratilova, Judy Murray and Eddie Izzard.”

A former carer who preyed on vulnerable pensioners in care homes and sheltered housing in Perth and Crieff was remanded in custody while background reports are obtained.

Thirty- five- year- old Tomasz Lacki, of Murrayfield Loan, Crieff, pled guilty to seven of the 13 charges he faced when he appeared at Perth Sheriff Court on Thursday last week.

The offences were committed at properties in Crieff’s Duchlage Court and Strathearn Court, as well as at Carpenter Court, Dewar Court and Bowerswell

Cottages, all Perth, between August 31 and September 25.

The ages of his victims were said to range from 74 to in their early nineties.

On e suffers f rom dementia, while others were said to have mobility issues.

Lacki admitted stealing a wallet and its contents from a flat in Carpenter Court and making off with a purse and its contents from Strathearn Court.

The other offences related to him being found in the various properties in circumstances under which it might reasonably be assumed that he intended to commit theft there.

Asking for bail, Perth solicitor Billy Somerville pointed out that his client, who had a Polish interpreter, had been in this country for five years and had no convictions.

“His mother and brother reside in the area and there’s no suggestion of a flight risk,” Mr Somerville said.

Sheriff Keith O’Mahony deferred sentence until November 13 for a Criminal Justice Social Work report and a Restriction of Liberty Order assessment to be prepared.

He added: “Given the number and nature of the charges to which you have pled guilty, bail is refused and you will be remanded.”