15/12/2011 Reporting Scotland

Welcome to Reporting Scotland: it guilty of killing her toddler son.

Kimberley Hainey now faces a life sentence. She kept the body and her

flat for months. It was a horrific and tragic set of

circumstances leading to the death. One of the most horrific of tragic

I have ever worked on in my police service.

Also: not fit for purpose. The verdict of a committee of MSPs on

the UK government plans to increase the powers of Holyrood.

The vital Highland roots closed by a landslide. Now there are calls

for the A83 to be up graded. And hope for all in would in the

1960s but now it wins award for being the most dismal place in

Scotland. -- hope for Linwood. A mother has been found guilty of

killing her toddler son and then pretending for months he was still

alive. Kimberley Hainey accepted gifts and money for Declan Hainey

who was about 15 months old when he was last seen alive. This report

from the High Court in Glasgow. Kimberley Hainey. Convicted of the

murder of her son, Declan Hainey, whose body lay in the rubbish-

strewn flat for months. She showed no emotion in the dock. Two women

who had been her friends were in the public gallery. They gave

evidence on behalf of the prosecution and heard and cried

when they heard the verdict. Then she was led away to begin a life

sentence. She will learn on 12th January exactly how long the

minimum period will be that she must serve.

It was horrific and tragic. One of the most horrific and tragic cases

I have ever worked on throughout my police service.

Declan Hainey's is the latest case to draw attention to the welfare of

children being raised by drug or alcohol misuse and parents. At

first, Kimberley Hainey did not seem to fit the picture of a

chaotic life. She earned a good wage here, at a Glasgow insurance

firm. She bought her own flat in Paisley. But when her uncle, a

father figure, died, she began drinking. She lost her job, flat,

and then a friend introduced her to heroin. She was later admitted to

take a hospital with mental health and drug problems. Here she met the

father of Declan Hainey. They split after she became pregnant. He

wanted nothing to do with the child. She moved to a flat here. She said

that the birth of the child had changed her life. She was supported

on a methadone programme. At the time the initiative was based in

this building. Staff said they had no concerns about the child's

development but a drugs worker once smelled drink on Kimberley Hainey's

breath. This a visitor attempted to visit at least seven times from

summer 2009. She had a staggering 320 cases to deal with. But it was

she who eventually reported Declan missing. The local authority stand

by the support they offered Kimberley Hainey. But they have

already reviewed and made changes to how they would deal with similar

cases. We can see in retrospect what

happened. Services tried to maintain contact with her to

monitor what was going on for herself and her child. But she

managed to defeat the best efforts and many attempts made to contact

her. It may never be known exactly how

Declan Hainey died but the tragic death is bound to trigger another

review of how to deal with the children of addictive parents. Our

social affairs Correspondent joins us now. What other way you look at

this it is tragic. Given that the levels of parental drug addiction

and alcoholism, given the workload that we heard about of health

visitors and social workers, what more can the authorities do to

prevent the sort of thing happening again?

We have heard about previous tragic cases. We know from figures

released by the NSPCC that there are something like 18,000 children

born in Scotland whose parents are suffering from drug or alcohol

addiction and/or mental health issues. But this does not fall into

that category. Kimberley Hainey was adept at lying to social workers

and health visitors, her neighbours, and her friends. The health visitor

in that report attempted to visit 11 times. She was trying her very

best. Kimberley Hainey had done well coming off heroin and then

reducing her methadone does. Declan Hainey had been thriving. Without

evidence of something amiss there is little that social workers can

do. The father, David Gibson, made it clear he wanted nothing to do

with the child. So that is the safety net. An absent father, yes,

but somebody who did have contact with the child who may have alerted

authorities have something was amiss. What has to be done? What

have we heard? An investigation will be carried out. But there is a

limited amount, social workers claim, that they can do unless they

are alerted. And we all must be alert to the signs of when a child

must be at risk. -- might be addressed.

You might not expect SNP MSPs to turn their nose up at an extension

of powers for the Scottish Parliament. But they're not sure

that extra powers currently on offer from Westminster are worth

having. This report from the Scottish Parliament. The SNP won a

second term in power at Holyrood promising a referendum on

independence. In the meantime, Alex Salmond's government must decide

whether it wants the extra powers currently on offer in the UK

government's Scotland Bill. One proposal is the transfer of a

picture of income-tax from Westminster to Holyrood. But the

SNP Committee in this Parliament has looked at the detail and is not

convinced that the package is a gift worth having.

The Bill as it currently stands, which we were asked to Lukacs, we

would find it difficult to recommend acceptance of it as it

stands. -- asked to look at. Because there are elements which

damage Scotland. The committee are demanding full

control taxation for Holyrood. But Liberal, Labour, and Conservative

MSPs produced a minority report supporting the Westminster bill. --

the Scotland Bill. It would be perverse to vote this

down. I hope the reconsider their veto.

I will look particularly carefully at the central proposals about the

Bill as it stands. What I hope is that the Scottish Parliament as a

whole will endorse our position. Without approval from both

parliaments the Scotland Bill will be killed off.

Still to come: ready to depart. We hear from the outgoing leader of

Scottish Labour. And Heart of Midlothian players get

their wages for November, but will they get their of December

salaries? They are due tomorrow. And join me here in Northern Italy

where the Celtic supporters are enjoying a pre-match party.

The annual round of European fisheries negotiations has started

with a chorus of warnings about the future of the Scottish industry.

Our reporter is at Peterhead in Aberdeen, one of the largest port

in Europe. These annual talks all we seem to loom over the Scottish

fishing industry. Why so much concern this year?

This year it is different. Normally we hear concerns about a quarter

for next year - that is the amount of fish that Fisher men allowed to

catch in large nets like this. Well, this year, there is less concern

about that. Some species are likely to increase meaning there will be

more to catch. But what will likely be reduced our days at sea - the

number of days per year that fishermen can take boats like this

out to sea. That is said to decrease in some cases by up to 50%.

Leader Stephen Scott on say that if that where the case it would be

absurd. -- leaders here in Scotland. We are facing a for days per

fortnight, or, God help us, were so. -- for days. That makes less sense.

What are the timescales for the Brussels talks?

They began this morning and the continuing throughout the course of

the day. There are minor talks which will resume tomorrow. That is

winning new, revised set of proposals based on what was said

today will be discussed. But these things tend to go on for a long

time and it could be well into the night or walk -- even the weekend

before we hear details of a final agreement.

It has been closed three times in the past for heels by landslides.

Now people Anna Gael claimed that the A83 must be upgraded. -- people

and Argyll. The big problem rests with the Rest-and-Be-Thankful. When

it is blocked, drivers face a huge detour north along Loch Lomond side

on the A82 to Crianlarich, then over the A85, before heading back

south on the A819 to Inveraray.. Our correspondent made the journey.

It is one of the most stunning parts of Scotland's road networks.

The rest and Be thankful is the narrow artery linking much of

Argyll to the central belt. Traffic was flowing freely today but this

artery has been blocked by a landslides, three times since 2007.

So 600 tons of rock and soil here. The road remains closed...

The latest was yesterday. Businesses are counting the cost.

None more so than this oyster farm. We have had lots of wasted stock.

We have had to discount lots of stock. And we depend on passing

trade. The passing trade comes from people

like John, who drive-through regularly, and feels frustrated.

It seems to be getting worse. Further along, in in Brady, Donald

questions whether shutting the road every night is necessary.

If you can imagine Glasgow and Edinburgh commuters are having to

go via Perth, there would be an outcry, and out of reach. Yet this

has happened so many times in the past. -- an outcry, and outrage.

The ferry terminal and the rest is still an hour or's drive.

Campbeltown as two hour's drive. So what is the solution? One

suggestion is there should be better alternative transport links

Some of the other stories across Scotland this Thursday evening. Two

people have been killed and four others injured - two of them

seriously - in a crash involving a minibus from Scotland, a car and a

lorry. The accident happened on the A7, near Carlisle. Those who died

were the lorry driver and a woman passenger in the minibus, which had

travelled from Canonbie in Dumfries and Galloway and Newcastleton in

the Borders. Two men have been arrested in

connection with a spate of armed robberies on security guards

outside banks in the West of Scotland. The first raid happened

outside the Bank of Scotland in Carmunnock Road, Glasgow, in August.

The others were at the Clydesdale Bank in Bothwell, and at the

Airdrie Savings Bank in Muirhead. Around 700 jobs could be created in

Dundee, with plans to create a renewables energy base at the

city's port. Scottish and Southern Electricity is among a group

looking into establishing a base on Tayside. An offshore wind turbine

Political opponents have been paying tribute to the Labour leader

Iain Gray, as he prepares to step down. The East Lothian MSP

announced his resignation after the party's defeat in the Scottish

Parliamentary elections. His replacement will be announced this

weekend. From Holyrood, our correspondent, Raymond Buchanan

reports. June they say all political careers

end in failure. Iain Gray can testify to that but as he made his

way towards a blast First Minister's questions, he claimed

this was like get -- any other. There were warm words from his

opponents including his nemesis. greatly enjoyed our weekly jests in

this chamber and ensure that whoever will succeed you'll have a

hard act to follow. After his election, his fortunes ebbed and

flowed. The former teacher brought order to Labour in Holyrood and a

party one success in by-elections. It was not to last. They were

humiliated in May and Ian Gray only won his seat by 151 votes. What do

you blame for that result? If we were to do it again and do it

differently, we would do more work to reach out to those disaffected

Liberal Democrat voters, to convince them that Labour is where

they should call. One episode helped to define the disastrous

election campaign. Iain Gray was greeted by protesters at Glasgow's

Central Station. He was pursued by the demonstrators and the wind up

in a Sandwich shop. Central Station that they did not

help our election campaign and that would have been good had it not

happened, but it did. He says he is most proud of his work to increase

the number of apprentices, the campaign to save aircraft carrier

jobs and helping to pass ambitious Climate Change targets. His

leadership will most likely be defined by that spectacular loss.

The task for his successor is formidable. A bed tax for tourists

visiting Edinburgh has been ruled out by the Scottish Government.

Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing told MSPs he had no plans for such a

move and Edinburgh City Council had no powers to introduce it. The

council had been considering the levy to raise extra revenue.

Meanwhile, after years of delays and massive increases in costs, the

capital's new tram depot has been handed over to the city council.

While there's still a lot of work left on the project, test runs are

now underway. Council bosses say the handover demonstrates that the

tram project is finally making progress. Our transport

correspondent, David Miller, has been taking a look.

Edinburgh's trams are finally on strike, even if they are still

behind the completion of the decor is seen as a milestone.

They finally have something to celebrate with today's events all

the more remarkable considering that only a few months ago, this

project seemed close to collapse. For relief that finally we have

reached this milestone in Addis -- delivery of the trams. This is a

milestone in the delivery and I have to be honest and say it is a

day I feared would never come. depot will be home to the entire

tram fleet - five vehicles have already arrived. The tosses

Government is now playing a more hands-on role, to ensure the

project is delivered. -- Scottish. We'll make sure it happens as

quickly as possible so that the disruption is brought to an end and

people can go about their business. We will make sure it happens for

the aid budget. Council leaders still want to see the line

completed as far is the waterfront. For now, other focuses on building

the line as far as York Place. Signal workers in the west of

Scotland are to stage a three-day strike from Christmas Eve in a row

over career progression, threatening disruption to rail

services. The Rail Maritime and Transport union says the walkout

will last until December 27th. Network Rail said that if a strike

were to take place, it would still be able to run a full service.

Linwood in Renfrewshire has been given one of Scotland's most

infamous awards. Voted the most dismal in the country, the town has

been given what's become known as the carbuncle award. Laura Bicker

spent the day there to find out what went so wrong.

This town centre is like a concrete corpse, and the life remains, only

an empty shell of shops whose shutters have not opened in years.

Against this backdrop comes that infamous Scottish awards. Despite

the seasonal cheer elsewhere in the country, gloom surrounds us here in

Linwood town centre. This is that the carbuncle award for Scotland's

most dismal town. This community does not deserve this award. It is

a fabulous community, but having said that, I do understand why the

of giving the that it to the centre because as you can see, it is

dreadful. It was not always this way. It was a hub of car

manufacturing and produced the Kreisler Avenger and the Sunbeam.

Even with this, the first regional shopping centre was built here and

there were complaints. You will find this is less than half

developed and inhabited. It got worse. We had large shops and a

restaurant and a cafe and it has been left to rot. People are so

disgusted about the whole thing. There are plans to demolish this

town centre and start again. Renfrewshire council promised the

bulldozers could be in and a matter of weeks. They have plans for a

town hall and a mass of Tesco. Local people say they think this is

a day that may never come. The leader of the council asked to meet

be beside a row of newly built houses. He says this is proof of

change. The council have managed to negotiate with Tesco to build anew

store. It has taken longer than they would have liked but it is on

its way. An award is usually cause for celebration but at the least,

people here hope that the carbuncle award will be a source of

inspiration and a catalyst for change. Let's see how the sport is

looking this evening. Here's David. Celtic can claim a place in the

next stage of the Europa League tonight but will have to beat

Udinese. It was not be easy. Those who walk the cobbled streets

here are used to the Italian quiet life. Here in northern Italy, a

Renaissance statue stared down. The City is not completely without

foreign influence. Some more recent than others. Celtic and indeed here

in the hope of a rare win on the road and Europa League progression.

I think tonight is like a cup final for us. He put down at the back and

we'll do well. We don't know how we will play so it is a dilemma for

the Italians. We have to go for it. This Celtic fans here enjoying app

3 Europa League festive party. For the players with a dismal record on

the road, for them, all work to do. Soggy work in training. Injuries

threaten to dampen spirits but problems at the back have eased

with the return of Kelvyn Wilson. Most looking at is going in a would

have put us as outsiders. I have been pleased with the way the team

has plays in the previous five games. We're still a with a shot of

qualifying. It is testament to the players.

If the players pull it off, we could be in for another colourful

party. For Hearts have paid their players their November salaries at

last, the day before their December wages are due. And the club aren't

saying whether that money will be paid on time. Players union

representatives had a meeting with the squad today and agreed that if

salaries for this month aren't received tomorrow, an official

complaint will be lodged with the Scottish Premier League.

The players have authorised us to move things forward. They want to

get on with playing football and trying to win and keep the club

afloat. They will leave that up to The former world boxing champion

Scott Harrison is being allowed to return to the ring by the British

Boxing Board of Control. The 34- year-old lost his licence for

bringing the sport into disrepute. He hasn't fought for six years and

spent some time in prison in Spain for assault and attempted theft.

Harrison's issued a public apology and says he's a changed man. Sandy

Lyle is to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. The 53-

year-old says being placed in the company of the greatest names in

the sport is very special. Lyle, who won two majors - the Open

championship in 1985 and this one - the US Masters in 1988. Other

famous names in there include Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.

As the weekend approaches, let's find out how the weather is looking.

find out how the weather is looking. Many places such good spells as

sunshine this afternoon but as soon as it got dark, temperatures dipped

rapidly and there is a warning for rice. I yellow warning, so that

means do be aware. Showers in the west and south-west will pep up

pushing into southern and central parts. These will be wintry so that

is a mix of rain, sleet and snow and we may see a accumulations over

higher ground. Further north, largely dry with widespread frost

and some freezing fog as temperatures dipped to just below

freezing. Actually start tomorrow morning. Those wintry showers in

the south of the country continuing at first soap to be aware on your

morning can -- commute that you may see those accumulations. Further

north, cool and crisp to start. The freezing fog lingering in the early

part of the morning, so really pretty chilly. Showers around in

the West and in the far north across Shetland. We will see wintry

showers across the hills. Through the day, both the wintry showers

and the freezing fog will clear away and we will see are largely

dry and bright the across the country with good spells of

sunshine. It will feel chilly with highs reaching three Celsius. Much

like today, around 3pm, temperatures will dip rapidly with

a wide spread risk of ice. Into the weekend, there will be bright

spells again but also wintry showers and these are mainly in the

north. How do you fancy seeing your own pictures on the big screen in

Edinburgh? Send an e-mail to this address or put it on Twitter. You

can see your name in lights and Now, just before 7pm, a summary of

tonight's top stories. A mother has been found guilty of murdering her

son and pretending he was still alive. Up to 13,500 British troops

will help to provide security at the Olympic Games in London, next

year. The operation will be police-led

but the military will make a significant contribution, according

to the MOD. The American flag has been lowered in Baghdad, formally

marking the end of Washington's military operations in Iraq after

nearly nine years of war. The US Defence Secretary, Leon Panetta,