Scotland

A former staff nurse has admitted to sex offences against almost 50 girls he met online over a three-year period, between 2007 and 2010. He preyed on them from the home he shared with his wife and two children. Barry McCluskey posed as a gay teen girl to get the children - aged ten to 15 - to perform lurid acts via a webcam. He blackmailed some victims, threatening to expose what they had done unless they agreed to his demands. McCluskey showed no emotion as he was remanded in custody. He faces a lengthy jail-term when sentenced later this year.

A recent Scottish Social Attitudes survey found that more than 60% of people believe same-sex couples should have the right to marry, compared with 19% who disagree, so the Scottish Government has begun gathering views on whether same-sex marriage should be made legal. A 14-week project asks if marriage in Scotland should be allowed for gay people through a civil or religious ceremony. Currently same-sex couples can enter a civil partnership which carries full legal rights but the ceremony cannot be conducted in a church or other religious premises.

Two lesbians have won the right to IVF treatment to help them have a baby after threatening to sue health chiefs. They used controversial new equality laws to launch their case in Scotland's highest civil court yesterday, backed by a government watchdog which believes they suffered 'indirect discrimination'.