13/12/2011 Reporting Scotland

Welcome to Reporting Scotland. Tonight on your national news.

Scotland captain and Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher

is forced to take an extended break from football due to ill health.

The wintry weather's back. Warnings of disruption as snow, wind and

rain batter much of the country. And also tonight.

Edinburgh's tram fiasco goes all the way to the United Nations as

campaigners blame the works for increased pollution.

And jail for the owner of this illegal collection of eggs from

The captain of the Scotland national football team Darren

Fletcher has announced he is taking an extended break from the sport

because of serious illness. He's suffering from inflammatory bowel

disease. His club Manchester United say he has accepted medical advice

to stop playing in order to try to get the condition under control.

Our health correspondent Eleanor One of Scotland's youngest ever

captains, and still only 27, Darren Fletcher has been capped 27 times.

He scored seven goals for Scotland. Last season, he featured at less on

the pitch, something put down to a virus by his club Manchester United.

But today, it was revealed that he has been suffering from ulcerative

colitis. I stick them on the club's But what is ulcerative colitis?

They would feel lethargy, feeling it generally run down, feeling

unable to work, especially as a professional footballer. We would

hope the patient could go into complete remission with medical

therapy. We would hope that the patient would have a normal

employment potential and normal football career. This is a setback,

but it may not be the end of his career. The row work Steve Redgrave

of was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 1992, the year he won a

gold medal at the Barcelona Olympics. He went on to win at two

more gold medals. Darren Fletcher has a lifelong condition, but it

may not be our life limiting one. Some breaking news coming to us.

The television watchdog Ofcom has launched an investigation into

comments made by the Channel 5 presenter Matthew Wright about the

murder of teenager Liam Aitchison in Stornoway. The comments were

made on his morning talk show and followed the next day by an apology.

This is what was said. There has been another murder.

first one for 40 years. Then it is another one! I know that some of

you have been upset for comments made yesterday about the murder of

Liam Aitchison. I would like to apologise if that was the case, no

intention on my part to be little the seriousness of it. It is not

helped by people running campaigns, grown up, folks. Our correspondant

Jamie McIvor joins me. What are Ofcom saying?

Matthew Wright may have told viewers are to grow up, but Ofcom

has now received more than 2200 complaints about these comments on

the right stuff last week. -- on Wright Stuff at last week. They say

that the whole issue merits for the ins best addition to see if it has

breached any broadcaster's ethics. It is important not to prejudge the

outcome. An investigation does not mean that the broadcaster has

broken the codes. The point of the investigation will be to decide

whether the codes where broken. If Channel 5 are bound to be in the

wrong, it could face sanctions or even a fine.

Weather warnings are in place again tonight across many parts of

Scotland. Wintry conditions and high winds have already been been

causing problems and forecasters are predicting greater travel

disruption this evening. In a moment, we'll speak to our

reporter Willie Johnston who is in Dumfries, but first Raymond

Buchanan is halfway between Edinburgh and Glasgow, at Harthill

services on the M8. It is still very difficult, the

weather conditions here. As you can see, it is wet and windy. But the

M8 is clear and traffic is moving. There has been significant

disruption across Scotland because of the high winds that have come in

from the west of the country. Winds up to around 80 mph, affecting

areas like the Inverclyde coast. We can see some pictures which

demonstrate the strength of those gusts, buffeting ships. All sorts

of disruption on the roads. Bridges have faced disruption again today.

Lots of other bridges have been closed as well. And there was an

accident on the A line. A vehicle accident. -- A nine. This means

that one of the busiest roads in Scotland is still closed. The

finance minister John Swinney was involved in this and his journey

had to be abandoned because of the disruption. The hope is that there

is strong gusts what is the pit crew out the evening. But there is

a warning tomorrow all but sleet and snow in the Central Lowlands,

particularly on higher ground. Use common sense tomorrow when it comes

to travelling. And the southwest of Scotland has

been battered by gale-force winds this afternoon. Willie Johnston is

there for us in Dumfries. Willie, the Whitesands area of

Dumfries is an area that's often Flooding is a way of life here. But

it is getting more freak and added is getting worse. -- a frequent and

it is getting worse. Another inquiry and another report and

success of Council have debated what to do it for years. The latest

proposal is to build a flood it walk along here, possibly made out

of glass, and combine it into further environmental work. The

thinking is it could protect properties here in all but the very

worst floods, perhaps once every 25 years. Two years ago, this woman's

shop was flooded and out of action for four months. It is closed again

now. She is encouraged by today's move but sceptical. It is

manageable and affordable and it would be great if they could do it,

but we need action. We need the physical structure put in place.

The pass, the council has made proposals which have never seen the

light of day. We need to keep the pressure on the council to put the

funding in place and see this become a reality. Councillors have

now asked for more detailed designs and costings with a for that report

due in six months. -- a further report.

You're watching Reporting Scotland from the BBC. Still to come on the

programme. One year on from a pioneering

stopping legislation, or we report. In sport, more reaction to the news

of Darren Fletcher's extended break from football.

Celtic decide to take their punishment for fans' illicit

chanting. And targeted vandalism threatens

the future of international cricket in Aberdeen.

A man jailed for a gangland killing nine years ago has begun a second

appeal against his murder conviction. William Gage was found

guilty of shooting Justin McAlroy six times outside his home in

Cambuslang in 2002. He was sentenced to at least 20 years in

prison, but has always protested his innocence claiming he suffered

a miscarriage of justice. Steven Godden reports.

William Gage's legal team arrived at their court of appeal. Justin

McIlroy was shot repeatedly in the street outside his Cambuslang home.

It was described as a gangland execution. In 2004, William Gage

was tried, convicted and ordered to spend at least 20 years in jail. It

is an outcome he has always disputed. After one a failed appeal,

the courts have been ordered to look at his case again. It has been

at nine it long hard years for William Gage and his family. His

father has died in that time. And his family hope that justice will

be done. At the original trial, Justin McIlroy's wife identified

William Gage. At the hearing today, her evidence was questioned. It was

said she had only had a fleeting glance. The Defence challenges

claims about a white car that prosecutors argued was the getaway

car. They say there were substantial inconsistencies in the

DNA evidence. The evidence is expected to last several days of.

BBC Scotland has learned a United Nations committee is to scrutinise

Edinburgh City Council's handling of the capital's controversial tram

project. The case is being brought by campaigners who believe the

scheme has resulted in an increase in pollution levels in residential

areas. Our transport correspondent, David Miller, reports.

Pollution levels in central Edinburgh or monitored by the City

Council. But residents are worried about the amount of pollution they

are having to breathe. They say their concerns have not been taken

seriously enough. It does seem bizarre that a group of residents

are having to take their case to a United Nations committee, but this

is a reminder of the strength of feeling which the tram project

continues to arouse. We are monitoring continuously...

campaigners say that there monitoring Bruce that diverting

traffic into residential areas could be threatening health.

centre of Edinburgh is a very small place. This policy takes commercial

traffic from the centre and put it through residential areas. That

means more noise and a more pollution. This retired engineer

has convinced the you -- the United Nations committee to look at their

issue. Our message will be that we have not been fairly treated. We

have not been given the opportunity to present a case, and the council

are asking as judge and jury. Edinburgh city council say that

monitoring is in place and that pollution is with them acceptable

levels. -- within acceptable levels. Craig Whyte, the owner of Rangers

Football Club, has appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court to contest a

case over an alleged unpaid �90,000 repair bill at his castle. Mr Whyte,

39, owner of Tixway UK Ltd, ordered supplies from One Stop Roofing to

repair the roof at his property in Grantown on Spey. It is claimed

that Tixway failed to maintain a repayment plan agreed at the start

of the 2010. Mr Whyte is disputing the claim at a civil case.

A man has been jailed for stealing eggs from some of the rarest birds

in the UK, many of them in Scotland. Matthew Gonshaw built up an illegal

collection of almost 700 eggs from endangered species such as the

osprey and the golden eagle. Craig Anderson reports.

This is the hall a mast. Exit from the rarest birds in Britain, red

kites, ospreys, peregrine falcons. Many snatched from Scottish site.

This clutch of the three X was taken to the Western Isles in

Scotland. This was just one week from hatching. The collector has

removed a large Eagle egg. This osprey nest behind me was where

Matthew Gonshaw targeted. Much to the annoyance of those trying to

protect the birds. People like him come to the north of Scotland, they

plunder wild bird eggs. The target their re-arrest ones and the most

vulnerable. He admitted 10 charges in a London court today and was

sentenced to the maximum of six months in prison. He has already

served a three-year jail terms for similar crimes and is described as

obsessed with his hobby. There have been calls for an ASBO to be served

to stop him travelling around the country.

Some of the other stories across Scotland this Tuesday.

Police say a fire in Elgin in which a man sustained extensive burns is

being treated as suspicious. Four other people were treated for minor

burns and the effects of breathing in smoke following the incident in

A man has been jailed for three years for trying to set his

girlfriend's killer on fire, by throwing petrol over him. Allister

Gibb threw the petrol over Robert Chalmers outside the High Court in

Edinburgh in May. Chalmers had been convicted that day of killing

Samantha Wright and dumping her body in a wheely bin.

A hearing is underway at the Court of Session to decide whether the

construction of the Aberdeen bypass should go ahead. Campaigners

opposed to the project say they are confident they can block it. Other

road users and business leaders are angry about the latest delays.

It has been a year since stalking became a criminal offence in

Scotland. Already, police say they have dealt with over 400 incidents,

affecting both men and women. Many of which have led to successful

prosecutions. Rebecca was docked by her ex-husband. We have changed her

name to protect her from her ex- husband. I was and a refuge and I

had to come out because he found out where we wear. He continued to

harassed her. You feel like a prisoner. You almost have to

reinvent yourself. She has now taken advantage of the new

legislation and he has now been stopped. Most of the time, people

will stop someone they know, but an was the victim of a stranger.

rape and torture was what drove them. The new legislation has been

it will come to a are the women's interest groups. It has been so

successful that similar changes to the lot are being thought of in

England and Wales. As we heard earlier, the Scotland

captain Darren Fletcher is to take an extended break from football for

health reasons. Nor, it is certainly not.

The Manchester United midfielder is suffering with a chronic

inflammatory bowel condition, which he has had for the past year.

Despite the illness, Fletcher has made 15 appearances this season,

five of those in a Scotland shirt, as he tried to lead the country to

the finals of Euro 2012. The football world has responded to

the news. Team-mate and England striker Michael Owen tweeted,

"Wishing Fletch all the best in his recovery - top bloke."

And Rio Ferdinand also felt moved to post, "We are going to miss

Fletcher. I hope he comes back fitter and stronger."

Scotland manager Craig Levein has also made this statement on the SFA

website... "He is one of the most

inspirational players I have had the pleasure of working with and I

sincerely hope this time off, allied to the support of his family,

will enable him to make a full recovery."

Celtic will not appeal against a fine of 15,000 euros imposed by

UEFA for "illicit" chanting by their fans. It occurred at the

recent Europa League match against Rennes at Parkhead. Celtic say such

behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

Leigh Griffiths has been given a one-match ban for making an

offensive gesture during last Saturday's home defeat to Rangers.

The Hibs striker, currently on loan from Wolves, will miss this

weekend's SPL visit to Aberdeen. Aberdeen manager Craig Brown hopes

the disappointment of losing a two- goal advantage at the weekend will

inspire his players to better things tonight against St Johnstone.

The Dons let St Mirren back into the match at Pittodrie, but the

point earned in the 2-2 draw moved Aberdeen off the bottom of the

table. I do not have any complaints about their attitude. Although we

did lose the two-goal lead, we have ourselves recover from a couple of

two-goal deficit. Circumstances were unfortunate on Saturday.

And you can hear live commentary of St Johnstone versus Aberdeen

tonight on Sportsound BBC Radio Scotland 810mw, online and on

digital. Vandals have struck at Aberdeen's

Mannofield Cricket Ground, meaning it will not be able to host two

Scotland matches next year. A potent weed killer deliberately

sprayed on the pitch has also put in doubt a one-day match against

Canada due to be played in July. The groundsman inspects for himself

the damage done to his beloved cricket pitch. Had they just been

vandalism for vandalism sake it would have been bad, but not so bad,

but this is very deliberate. It has been booked on the patches where

the ball will bounce. It will now mean we cannot host to Scotland

matches that we were meant to host. They will now have to go to another

ground. A ground has built up a proud reputation for hosting

Scotland internationals. It is also the wicket when the great Donald

Bradman scored his last first-class century. It will be such a shame

for the Aberdeen public not to have another Scotland game there next

year. The police are now investigating and there is the race

against time for it to be fit for a one-day international against

Canada at in July of next year. Edinburgh is playing host to some

of the world's most talented young racing drivers this week. The Young

Driver Excellence Academy is coaching them in the skills which

could make them the future stars of Formula One. Julie Peacock has been

finding out what it takes to make it in the world of racing. It is

one of the most physically demanding sports and the world.

During the course of the race, the drivers have to put up with very

hot temperatures. Here in this heat chamber, the young trainee drivers

are getting a taste of what they might have to expect. It takes in

thickness, psychology and nutrition. The aim of the programme is to do

something for the entire motor sport. They also raise their game

and also learn the need for safety. The Academy features 18 of the

world's best drivers, including Louis, who is been signed by the

Red Bull racing team. You need a lot of areas to perform, it is not

just about racing, it is even down to things like media training.

Everything has to be 100 %. The air getting support from those who have

already made it in professional racing. I am very jealous these

things were not around when I was a young driver. It is all these

little things that make the difference in the war have still

get these things early in their career. They will be able to

concentrate on getting in their car and just driving. Over the next 12

months, the young drivers will go to extensive training and they will

be hoping it will one day lead to a place on the podium. And that is

Once again, the weather could potentially cause some problems.

Here is Judith with the latest. Find you. Yes, I hope that we will

see over the next few hours that things will come down. That said,

there is a Met Office amber warning out by the Met Office of for a wind.

Now, the main focus of this no will be on the Harrier ground. As we saw

earlier, the a name has already been badly affected. Over the next

few hours, Harrier ground in the Borders could also be affected. A

cold night in prospect, with temperatures falling to freezing.

That means we could have based on the roads virtually anywhere,

particularly in the North East. Tomorrow, that case will still be

there, so take extra care if you're out and about. As we head into the

afternoon, very much an improving picture. There will be so nice

spells of sunshine, particularly in the West. There will maybe be one

or two showers continuing up the west coast. A much drier picture

over the north-west. Orkney and Shetland will also see some showers.

The north-east corner, we will see that lovely spells of sunshine

again. And parts of the East will also get that. Temperatures

generally for five degrees Celsius. As for the wind, it will ease. In

much better day in their respect tomorrow. Firstly is looking a lot

quieter, with much drier weather to be found and decent spells of

sunshine around. There could be the odd bit of snow across high ground

in the very north of the country. Finally tonight, a look again at

our main stories. The captain of the Scotland

national football team Darren Fletcher has announced he is taking

an extended break from the sport because he's suffering from

inflammatory bowel disease. A lone gunman has gone on the