31/10/2011 Reporting Scotland

Welcome to Reporting Scotland. Tonight on your national news:

More than 30 years after the disappearance of his daughter, this

man has written to serial killer Robert Black to find out if he

knows what happened to her. I asked him, it did you do it? Did you kill

Genette? And if so, please can you put us out of our misery?

Also in tonight's programme: The death of the Ayrshire barman

Stuart Walker - an 18-year-old man appears in court charged with his

murder. And later, the miss who's a hit

with her pupils. Thank you, you are the best teacher in the world ever.

Now it's official, as this Lanarkshire primary school teacher

is voted the UK's best at the education Oscars.

And could James Forrest be heading to the English premiership?

Tottenham Hotspur show interest in The dying father of a 13-year-old

girl who went missing in Devon more than 30 years ago has asked to meet

the Scottish serial child killer Robert Black, who is a suspect in

the case. Genette Tate disappeared in 1978 while doing a paper round.

Last week, 64-year-old Black, originally from Grange mouth, was

convicted of the murder of nine- year-old Jennifer Cardy in Northern

Ireland 30 years ago. There are four we know about, but

how many more children died at the hands of Robert Black it? His

latest murder conviction was just last week. He was found guilty of

killing nine-year-old Jennifer Cardy in Northern Ireland.

story of Robert Black does not end with this verdict today. There are

lines of inquiry which we still have at which we are still looking

at. Is there more to do? Probably. That latest conviction has given

one father hoped. John Tate is dying of cancer. His one last wish

is to find out if Black murdered his 13-year-old daughter, Janet,

back in 1978. Please can you put us out of our misery and tell us what

happened and where? Jet was last seen near her home in rural Devon,

going out on a newspaper round. Her bike and newspapers were found. The

little girl never was. Police released an interview with Black in

which he discusses his fantasies. It was just a narrow road. Going

downhill. Driving along and I would see a young girl. I would get out

and talk to her and try to persuade her to get in the van.

similarities with Ginette's case mean Black is a prime suspect.

Detectives say they will see what they can learn from the latest

court case. As a result of the conviction in Northern Ireland, we

will look at the evidence put before the court and see if it has

any influence on the investigation. Genette Tate's father is making his

own inquiries. He has written to Black to ask for a meeting face-to-

face. Dear Robert Black, would you make the necessary arrangements for

me to be able to visit you? I would like to talk to you. Just because I

think I haven't got long to go. I would like to get this out of the

way before I die. In a Devon churchyard lies a memorial to

Genette Tate. There is nobody and so no grave. For her father, this

is a place of questions. What happened to his little girl and

will Robert Black give him any answers?

An 18 year-old has appeared in court charged with the murder of

Cumnock man Stuart Walker. B28 to Roald's body was banned last

weekend in an industrial estate in the Ayrshire town. -- was found.

Around 3:30pm today 18-year-old Ryan has squared up from Cumnock

appeared here. He has been charged with the murder of Stuart Walker

income MAC nine days ago and he has also been charged with theft.

Stuart Walker was found beaten and burned by the roadside in Cumnock

just before 5am a week passed Saturday. He died a short time

later. Police said the openly gay man was a victim of an extremely

violent and sustained attack. Officers confirmed last week he had

been investigated over an allegation of indecency with a 12-

year-old boy and a report was sent to the Procurator Fiscal. Police

said there was nothing to suggest the murder was connected. On the

morning he died, Stuart Walker was seen at 2:30am by the come up fire

station, not far from where he was found just over two hours later.

This small Ayrshire town has been deeply shocked by Stuart's brutal

death. He is remembered as popular, fun and outgoing, and in the days

since his death, many tributes have been made and flowers have been

laid by friends and family near to where he died. Brian St Edo made no

decoration or plea today but has been remanded in custody. -- Brian

S D Edo. Still to come, the campaign to make

sure teenage mothers get the recommended level of daily exercise.

How a Scots ex-serviceman's campaign will close Tower Bridge on

Armistice Day. In sport, a Celtic youngster

catches the eye of Spurs' manager. And Steven Naismith must wait a few

more of us for news on his knee. The Rangers midfielder has had a

scan. -- he must wait a few more hours.

Police investigating the disappearance of a glaster woman

are searching a house in West Kilbride this evening. Linda Spence

has not been seen since the middle of April. Her car was spotted in

Ayrshire a week after she went missing and her mobile phone was

found in a wheelie bin in June. Our reporter is in West Kilbride. What

exactly is happening? What we have learnt is that a police

investigation has been carried out in this street since Friday. As you

can probably see, an incident unit has been set up. Across there There

is a generator. Police officers are here in numbers. A fairly detailed

forensic operation is being carried out on this property here, with

lights out. There were uniformed police officers in the doorway a

few moments ago and they have been coming and going over the course of

the last hour also. We understand that Linda Spence did business in

this part of Scotland. She lived in Glasgow but worked in part down

here and she was a financial adviser, a mortgage provider, but

when she disappear back in April, she owed money to several people.

She told friends that. She told her family that she was going to London,

but she never got there, and that is why police believe she has come

to some harm. It did not stop her mother at that point in time

issuing an emotional appeal for information about her daughter's

disappearance. You have nothing to worry about whatever has happened.

It can be sorted. We just need to know you are OK. Linda, it is

Father's Day this Sunday, please let us know you are safe and well.

If anyone has information that could help, please contact the

police. So as you say, David, as Linda Spence did do business there,

presumably that is why it is the focus of what has happened tonight?

It is certainly the starting Kai Game. In addition, it is understood

that she drove a silver Vauxhall car and in the weeks following her

disappearance on or around April 13th, that car was seen in several

locations in the North Ayrshire area. In addition to that, since

then, a phone was handed in to the police. It was found in a wheelie

bin outside a cafe in Kilbirnie, just a few miles from here. It

turned out that was her phone. That would explain why this part of

Scotland is the focus of this police investigation. Thank you.

The children often have a love-hate relationship with their teachers.

One little boy loved his so much he nominated her for the UK teacher of

the Year award. Last night, at an awards ceremony in London,

Christine Emerton beat thousands of other contenders to pick up the

accolade. Christine and it is the teacher of

the year, from Hamilton. Recognition for 25 years of

committing her heart and soul to the job. At the minute, the class

is studying American Indians. The children have built their own

teepees and come across the problems that the Indians came

across, like teams are not working together. They have learned all

about the river and the Bison so they have lived as Indians and

found it great fun. Sometimes in Spanish, sometimes in Scots,

lessons so good someone has nominated Mrs Emmett for the

teacher of the Year award. thought she was a good teacher.

quibbles with that among pupils, staff and parents. She helps me.

She makes learning really firm. does all the Fair Trading and helps

out with the score a lot. It is, Mrs em up said this, Mrs Emmett

said that. The children actually dance behind her at the disco. She

is fantastic. They all love her. She has been phenomenal. It is not

what the do, it is the way that you do it, and that is what gets

results... Now officially Christine Emmett is the best teacher in the

UK. This is for all the boys and girls at the primary school, past

and present. For a fantastic head teacher and deputy teacher. For my

hard-working colleagues. Congratulations.

A man is being held by police after an elderly woman died at a

sheltered housing complex in Edinburgh. It is thought the 74-

year-old's body was discovered by a relative at her home in Longstone

Park yesterday. She has been named locally as Rosie Sutherland. Police

are questioning a man they detained on Sunday.

Charities and voluntary organisations in Scotland saw their

income fall by nearly �100 million last year, according to new

research. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations says some

groups are having to dip into their reserves to keep grips open. One

reason is that councils are giving less to local groups.

On Reporting Scotland we have told you how charities have faced the

squeeze. Care partners in Ayrshire help look after children who need

special attention. It lost most of its council funding and now it has

closed down. And we told you how this group that provides transport

for the elderly have worries, too. It now knows it will be getting

less from the council next year. Research suggests these stories are

widespread. We do not see a light at the end of the tunnel, or if we

do, it is a train coming. I think many charities are facing real

difficulties now. It is a tough world for them. They are expected

to work harder with fewer resources. The company's research suggests

four out of ten organisations had to kick the into their reserves.

These are two sides of the same coin. Squeeze on public spending

means less money for some groups. Economic problems mean more people

asking for help. 1 B group that is emerging of people who are really

having problems paying their mortgages. -- 1 new group. We are

seeing a new group of people coming to us worried they are going to

lose their house. Many of the hard choices that have affected

charities have been made locally by councils. Charities no money is

tight but they argue they could still be given more certainty about

how much cash they will get in the $$$NEWLINE Some of the other

stories across Scotland this Monday. A murder investigation's underway

in Glasgow following the death of a 41-year-old man. Kenneth Andrews

was found by police in Dalmarnock Road in the east end of the city,

yesterday. He died later in hospital.

The funeral of Thomas Sharkey, who was murdered in a house fire in

Helensburgh, has taken place. He was killed with his two children,

eight-year-old Bridget and 21-year- old Thomas Junior, when their house

was deliberately set on fire in July. The only survivor of the fire

was his wife and mother of the victims, 46-year-old Angela Sharkey.

The search is launched today for thousands of Scottish runners

who'll help light up Arthur's Seat next year. Hundreds of runners in

special suits will take part in Speed of Light, one of four

projects commissioned in Scotland to celebrate the 2012 Olympic games.

-- 2012 Commonwealth Games. Almost 70 per cent of girls aged

between 11 and 12 get the recommended level of an hour's

exercise every day. But by the time they reach 15, that's fallen to

just over a third. For teen mums it's thought to be even lower. Our

reporter Suzanne Allan went to visit a project in Paisley

encouraging teenage mothers to get their running shoes on.

Heart pounding, rapid breathing. This young mother is bucking the

trend. She is 27 and started with this group when she had her first

child. Like many girls, she hated to be at school so what put her

off? Having to move my legs and sweat! With a face full of make-up,

you don't want to do that. I did not want to run outside because I

was embarrassed. Then the exercise bug bit before stop at first, it

was quite scary. I wondered what I was getting myself into. You don't

realise how much you are running, how long, so we realised we were

doing well. 66 % of girls aged between 10 and 11 take the

recommended amount of exercise. That falls to 35 % after at 14. If

you are at a teenage mother, it is even lower.

And that is what prompted this project. A lot of young women seem

to lack confidence when it comes to activities. They might feel they

don't enjoy it all it is not for them. Often they are not encouraged

by their family to take part, or not found an activity that suits

them. This is essentially a burning group,

but it has become more than that: It is exercise, socialise and

toddler group all in one. -- a running group. It is very much

about personal development as well and working to issues that they

have had to deal with in their lives. They are young and it is --

they feel vulnerable. They need encouragement and that is something

they have never had before. Since this group started, many others

have sprung up. It is not just teenagers that can find it hard to

get back to fitness. One of London's most famous bridges

is to be shut to traffic for the first time on Armistice Day; and

it's all due to a campaign by an ex-serviceman from Aberdeenshire.

Ernest Sangster will be on Tower Bridge on November the 11th and

will help operate the controls. Colin Wight has the story.

Armistice Day in London. The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th

month. It is a time to honour the dead of two world wars and recent

conflicts. This man is a regular at ceremonies. He served in the RAF

between 1947 and 1950. Now 82, he felt something was missing when

traffic continued to flow over Tower Bridge. I thought it would be

a good idea if they opened the bastions. Looking up the river, I

Ernest took up his concerns with his local MP. He raised the case

with the authorities in London and they agreed to live the drawbridge.

I suppose it took his observation to bring it about. Now it is

happening and I think it is a great gesture to remind us on Armistice

Day of the sacrifice is that were made. Now Ernest and Sir Robert

would have to London in two weeks time for the big day, both will be

on Tower Bridge. Ernest says it will be the highlight of his life.

I am very pleased and greatly honoured to beat on the bridge, to

open it, along with Sir Robert. being well, it is hoped earnest and

is determined campaign will become The Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has

told BBC Scotland that he will continue to monitor Celtic's James

Forrest with a view to taking him south. Redknapp's top scout watched

south. Redknapp's top scout watched the Parkhead winger at the weekend

and was impressed by what he saw. Perhaps one of the few people to

leave Parkhead happy at the weekend, as Chris McLaughlin reports.

More points dropped for Celtic at the weekend and the fans made their

feelings clear at the end. A one- man impressed again as fans...

had good reports of him as a good player. But he belongs to Celtic

and that has -- is as far as it is gone. We have not on any further.

If we were looking to go further, I would think Neil and talk to him

about it. I remember Jimmy Johnson and people like him, they were the

great winners that were produced up there over the years. Hopefully

this kid will be another top winner coming through. It doesn't surprise

me. When you look at Celtic this season, their one player is a

sparkle. He is quick, scoring goals, two-footed. I'm sure there are a

lot of clubs in England looking at him. He continues to impress, even

if his side are struggling, so much so that his team-mate think they

must win all of their last 26 games to stand any chance of overturning

Rangers 12 point lead. What chance of that? Today one bookie made odds

of 10,000 to one. Hold off for now on the beds, because the arts could

The Rangers midfielder Steven Naismith has had a scan, but no

result will be available until tomorrow. It's feared he suffered

cruciate ligament damage in Rangers win against Aberdeen on Saturday.

The Scotland boss Craig Levein will also miss his services saying it's

a real blow. Cruciate damage could put an end to Naismith's season.

He goes down in some distress. This is the moment of realisation will

this player. The real damage occurred moments to earlier. A rash

occurred moments to earlier. A rash challenge brought both players to

the ground. But after treatment, Stephen returned to the field, only

to collapse in agony with doubts remaining of the rest of the season.

It is bad news for Rangers and also for Scotland. His improvement in

the last two years has been phenomenal. I really feel for him.

I know he did have a problem previously where he missed a lot of

matches. But in the last two years, he put a lot back. He is a regular

in the team. And this is how it happened last time. In 2008 against

St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup. Ha it is the other any this time.

Rangers will be hoping it is not Craig Levein will name his squad

tomorrow morning for the friendly in Cyprus on November the 11th. And

the Scotland boss is to reward the talents of in-form Huddersfield

striker Jordan Rhodes with a first call-up. The senior national squad

will include the 21-year-old, who has scored 13 club goals this

season. Rhodes will then travel with the Under 21 squad to Holland

for their European Championship qualifier three days later.

Now rugby and as Glasgow and Edinburgh prepare to launch their

Heineken Cup campaigns, one Scotland international player says

they owe their fans a good performance. The European Club

competition was launched earlier today, and the Edinburgh and

Scotland scrum half Greig Laidlaw says he believes rugby fans need

something to cheer about after the recent World Cup campaign.

We are not hearing from him. OK, that is all that I have for you

tonight. So you are back tomorrow and it is

a special edition of the programme? Yes, tomorrow night on BBC Two. It

is a Commonwealth Games special. It is about the years, the legacy, if

there will be a legacy, and everything that has gone so far in

the history of the Commonwealth Games. Don't miss it. You will

enjoy it. I'm sure we will. That is from 7:00pm on BBC Two, a special

A reminder that our money expert Fergus Muirhead will be back on

Wednesday. He'll be looking at the confusion that exists over the best

energy tarrifs and how you can get value for money on your gas and

electricity. Any questions to the usual address: [email protected].

And if you've been playing hokey cokey with your heating

system...turning the whole thing on, the whole thing off. Time now to

get advance warning of what's in store for the next few days from

We saw 19 degrees, seasonally mild temperatures. But for this evening,

we are looking at outbreaks of rain, but it will clear for tomorrow.

Here is the rain, it is affecting a good part of western Scotland.

Heavy bursts around Glasgow, also the south-west. It would to any

East tonight. It will eventually become confined to eastern coastal

areas. Drier conditions in its wake. A couple of showers to follow.

Temperatures around nine degrees, still quite a breeze in some areas.

Tomorrow morning, we lose the brain quickly from eastern and coastal

areas. It will brighten up nicely, decent spells of sunshine. He is a

closer look. Predominantly dry, nice sunshine. Just a bit of rain

put Union, but not amounting to a lot. Looking fine for the Glasgow

area. Picking up cloud tomorrow towards the north-west corner and

the Outer Hebrides with showers coming and going. But dry and

bright conditions for Orkney and the odd passing shower for Shetland.

For north-east Scotland, a lovely, fine, dry afternoon. Much of

Scotland staying that way. Temperatures will be around 12,

still above seasonal average. We would lose the showers, but pick up

wind developing across the north- west and freshening elsewhere. Here

is the outlook: This weather front is lurking in the Atlantic and will

bring rain across Scotland on Wednesday. You can see the tightly-

packed isobars. A lot of dry weather to start, bright as well.

Tempters will be mild again. The rain will move in, the winds will

pick up. The rain will clear on Thursday but it will be windy and

Now let's get a summary of tonight's top stories:

The dying father of a 13-year-old girl who went missing in Devon more

than 30 years ago has asked to meet the Scottish serial child killer

Robert Black who's a suspect in the case. Genette Tate disappeared in

1978 while doing a paper round. A man has appeared at Ayr Sheriff

Court charged with the murder of Stewart Walker in Cumnock. 18-year-

old Ryan Esquierdo from Cumnock, has also been charged with theft.

He made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody.

After weeks of anti-capitalist protests on its doorstep, and a

major row over the Church's response, the Dean of St Paul's

Cathedral has resigned. The Right Reverend Graeme Knowles is the