In the back yard of his terraced home, among some tools and bin bags in his shed, lay Christopher Barlow’s terrible secret. For ten days, he did everything he could to keep his secret and cover up ...

Our biggest stories over the past week have featured the reopening of a pub, a shop targeted by ram-raiders, and a road slammed for its potholes.

Meanwhile, Aberdeenshire Council bosses are taking a stand against a Ballater shop receiving a bright blue makeover.