01/10/2013 Reporting Scotland

Tonight on Reporting Scotland: The number of homicides drops to the

lowest level since records began. Operating losses for Rangers of £14

million but the company says it's within its five year plan.

This Fife teenager says the swine flu jab left her with a condition

which makes her fall asleep without warning. It can happen 25 to 30

times a day off medication. And also tonight: I am at Celtic

Bach where there is a huge night ahead in the Champions League. Join

me for all the build-up before Celtic against Barcelona. -- I am at

Celtic Park. Paws off. Why rubbing one of our

best-loved statues for luck hasn't proved so fortunate for Greyfriars

Bobby. The number of home side in Scotland has fallen to its lowest

level since records began 40 years ago. In the end of the year to March

there were 62 killings, a total of eight third less than the previous

year to March. A woman's body was found in this

house in Glasgow ten days ago. A man has appeared in court. But this is

becoming a less common sight in Scotland. There were 62 homicides,

illegal killings, in the last year. The figure is the lowest since 1976

when records began to be compiled. Police say it is largely due to a

reduction in knife carrying. The number of stop and searches that we

carry out is proportionate to where we believe there is a threat of

people carrying knives. That has been consistent with the reduction

in not just homicides but also in attempted murders and Sirius

assaults. Violence was very much in the headlines in 1976, when

statisticians first began compiling the homicide figures. It was then

that the officer was found dead. Thomas McCulloch and another man

murdered three people as they escaped from the top security state

hospital. McCulloch was finally released from jail earlier this

year. Criminologists recognised today's figures are part of a

downward trend, for which there may be a number of reasons. Part of it

is cultural. There has been a shift in our experiences and tendency to

commit violent crimes. We have certainly seen a change in the

profile of the offending population but it may also be linked to some of

our criminal justice policy developments as well. The Government

has welcomed today's figures as evidenced Scotland is getting safer

but ministers say they hide a more devastating statistic. We are aware

that 62 families have grieved the loss of a loved one and that

communities have been devastated. We want to change attitudes and the

culture in Scotland, because alcohol abuse is still prevalent amongst

those who die. Only one of last year's murders remains unsolved,

with the figures showing 77% of victims knew their killer.

Newsnight Scotland will be looking further into the reason for the drop

in homicides. That is at 11pm tonight.

Judges have begun a hearing to decide whether the man cleared of

the World's End murders in Edinburgh should face a retrial. 17-year-olds

Christine Eadie and Helen Scott were killed following a night out in the

capital in 1977. Angus Sinclair was acquitted of their murders six years

ago. Lawyers are arguing both of them is enough new evidence to retry

the 68-year-old and a Scotland's new double jeopardy legislation.

Rangers have reported operating losses of £40 million. The figures

cover the 30 months to June after the club's assets were bored out of

administration. -- the 13 months. As you would expect, lots of numbers

in majors' account. Let's look at the big ones. Turnover of just over

£19 million, but a loss of £14 million. It is no surprise the cross

has made a loss given their problems, but why so large? Income

was down, season tickets by a third, TV rights and sponsorship was

sharply lower and the club had to cut costs. The player wage bill was

down from £30 million to below £18 million. Though manager Ally McCoist

got more than £800,000. Rangers also faced one-off costs linked to

adjusting life in the lower divisions.

They are now in the third tier, with Ibrox packed last week for the 8-0

win over Stenhousemuir. But the club raised £35 in funds by selling

shares but at the end of June with some season tickets sold there was

only £11 million in cash, raising the question, how long before they

run out? Unless something dramatically changes like in the

revenue line, it does not look like they have enough cash to see them

through to Scottish Premiership. Fans were getting used to the red

ink. You have to get used to it. It is all picking back up so he does

not really matter. If it was not for Ally McCoist we would not be doing

anywhere near as well as we are now. He is a cheeky chappie. He's lovely.

The club says these figures represent the start of its five-year

recovery time. Confirmed today, former chief executive Charles Green

is no longer a major shareholder, and current directors half dismissed

the latest proposal to replace them. It will come to a head when

shareholders, including a lot of fans, meet for the AGM on the 24th

of this month. You are watching Reporting Scotland

from the BBC. Still to come: The family of this Stornoway man missing

in Turkey for three years hope a new family of this Stornoway man missing

documentary will trigger a new search for him.

In sport, the fans are writing in anticipation. Join me at Celtic Park

for all the build-up to Celtic against Barcelona, the first of the

glamour home ties of the Champions League. And I will have a very

special guest. That is all the sport, coming soon.

A Scots woman accused of drug smuggling in Peru is making her

latest appearance before a judge in Lima this evening. Last week,

20-year-old Melissa Reid from Lenzie near Glasgow and her co-accused,

Michaela McCollum, from Ireland, pleaded guilty to the charges. But

the prosecution has asked for more information about how they became

involved in trafficking cocaine. This is the third Court hearing for

Melissa Reid and Michaela McCollum, and the second to be held inside

these men's prison. Inside he is a makeshift court room, too small to

receive the press and the public, and we are told the judge will be

hearing their testimony and cross examining them in a private hearing.

Prosecutors objected to their guilty pleas, saying they have not given

enough evidence and have not given enough detail as to why they were

pleading not guilty. We will find out at a later date if this is going

to be enough for them to be a bull to reduce the possible sentence

between eight and 15 years. The sentencing is likely to be later on

this month. Labour have called for a ministerial

statement to the Scottish Parliament after it was revealed that nearly

£30 million has been spent on the cancelled Glasgow Airport Rail Link.

The SNP Government ditched the project in 2009 but in a written

answer to a parliamentary question, they revealed that over £29 million

had been spent on land, compensation and other costs.

The Scottish Information Commissioner has criticised public

authorities for failing to respond adequately to freedom of information

requests. Rosemary Agnew says there has been a 14% rise in appeals in

the last year from people who are dissatisfied with the way the

questions have been dealt with. The commissioner says authorities should

be more effective in giving and public information, nine years after

the legislation was introduced. Comedian and actor Lee Connelly has

been given the all clear from prostate cancer after undergoing

surgery in America to treat the early stages of the disease. The

70-year-old is also being treated for Parkinson 's.

Nor can see is a condition that can make a sufferer fall asleep without

warning dozens of times a day. -- narcolepsy. Now a teenager from

Kirkaldy has told the BBC she became a sufferer after being given a swine

flu jab. Her story has been highlighted by Iwan Thomas from The

One Show. 14-year-old Chloe from five

developed narcolepsy shortly after having the swine flu jab in 2009. --

Fife. Her condition is so severe it became too much for her. I snapped

suddenly. It was not a planned thing. I took an overdose. You felt

so desperate you thought, I need to end this? Yes, I thought to myself,

what is the point of going on when I am never really going to be able to

stay awake a full day in my life? Within minutes I discovered just how

difficult it is for Chloe to get through the day. I have just come

back and Chloe is fast asleep. Rebecca, how often does this

happen? 25 to 30 times a day off medication. This is the fourth time

she has fallen asleep today and this is on medication. This is what is

dangerous. We are in a park. If I wasn't here... This is how serious

it is. Our reporter is here now. How many other cases are there like this

across the UK? The charity narcolepsy UK believe only is among

25 children throughout agent who have developed narcolepsy after they

were given the swine flu accent. The company who produced that,

GlaxoSmithKline, say they are actively researching how narcolepsy

is involved. At the time, Chloe and others were given this fact in and

it was approved but there was other advice issued in 2011 which stopped

the vaccine being given to those under 20. But here we are, the

winter if you -- winter flu vaccination programme this year has

just got under way and patients are being assured by senior medics at

the Scottish Government that there is no need for concern about this

winter's vaccine. The vaccine that has been associated with narcolepsy

revisiting is very different to the seasonal flu vaccine. That one has

not been used since 2011. All of the current ones have no association

with narcolepsy and have axle and safety records. -- excellent safety

record. We must protect the public against this extremely serious

inflection, the flu. It will be of some interest to Chloe's family to

hear that the Department of Work and Penions have been considering

research into the narcolepsy cases and have decided that on balance of

probability, in some cases a link to this vaccine was proved, so it looks

likely compensation will be paid from the Government of the UK to

some families and a few health care workers who also think they have

been affected. They are hoping to pursue the back the's makers. Thank

you very much. Residents of a Dundee hotel had to

be evacuated this morning following a suspected chlorine gas escape. Two

chemicals were accidentally mixed together in the plant room at the

Doubletree by Hilton. No-one was injured. Nu Labour alliance has been

formed to run the Dumfries Council. It follows the collapse of the old

administration after half the Conservative group resigned.

The Queen has officially opened a new Emergency Care Centre at

Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. The 350-bed building brings together the

city's emergency and urgent-care facilities for the first time.

The Scottish Episcopal Church is setting up a programme in the Moray,

Ross and Caithness diocese to enable the use of Gaelic in church services

more regularly. It will involve training Gaelic speakers to give

them the confidence to lead worship in the language. The census has

indicated that there are more young people picking up Gaelic. If they

are going to end at being congregations, we need to be

conscious of providing something for them in a language which they

clearly hold dear. Four helicopter crewmen have been

recognised for their bravery in rescuing 11 people from an oil

industry supply vessel in the North Sea last December. Graham Stein,

Nick Smalley, Paul Walters and Andy Cowx have received gallantry awards

from the Shipwrecked Mariners Society.

More than 1,100 P7 pupils in Dumfries and Galloway are being

given life-skills training by the emergency services. Issues covered

include fire, electrical and water safety and new threats like cyber

bullying. They are getting to that stage in life where they are in

counting new things and freedoms they did not have before. So they

are being exposed to new dangers, and this is to prepare them for the

freedom they have. And there are more stories from your

area - and all the latest news, 24 hours a day on BBC Scotland's

website. The family of a Scottish man missing

for three years in Turkey hope a new BBC ALBA documentary about his

disappearance will trigger a fresh search for him. Donald Mackenzie,

from Stornoway, was hunting for the remains of Noah's Ark on Mount

Ararat in Turkey when he disappeared in 2010. It's feared the devout

christian died in a mountain accident, but his family haven't

given up all hope. Jackie O'Brien reports. Donald Mackenzie from

Stornoway was described as an Ireland Indiana Jones who had

visited Mount Ararat many times in search of proof of the ancient

biblical story, Noah's Ark. But he failed to return from a trip to the

mountain three years ago, leaving his family mystified. Derek McInnes

it has retraced his brother's journey in search for truth amid

stories he could have been robbed during his assent or targeted by

religious extremists. The authorities have refused to launch a

mountain search because you did not have a permit to claim it. They are

not pleased with the fact he was illegally on the mountain. This is

also something which dampens their enthusiasm with regard to looking

for Donald. His van and possessions were tracked down as well as his

friends, not the only one convinced that the 47-year-old was can --

claimed by the mountain. Somewhere there, he was camping and the site

has been disturbed by villagers. I think I have found some truth with

regard to the demise of Donald certainly. I am glad about that.

Some believe that Donald Mackenzie's obsession with Noah's

Ark cost him his life. But back on the isle of loose there is hope this

latest search will trigger new clues. I like to think I will see

him again. Still, there is hope, isn't the? And you can see more of

that in "My Brother the Ark Raider" this Thursday night at nine o'clock

on BBC Alba. Rhona's at Celtic Park tonight ahead of their battle with

Barca - how's the atmosphere Rhona? Thank you, yes, it is the first of

the big night yet Celtic Park. The first home glamour tie in the

Champions League as the superstars of Barcelona have come to town. And

the flavour around Glasgow today has been distinctly Spanish. Our very

own Senorita of sport Jane Lewis can tell us more. Barcelona fans in good

voice in Glasgow and despite their last visit here, in confident mood.

Come on Celtic, we will enjoy this night. But come on bad guy. For sure

we are going to win. The fans were mixing well in the city and so to

where the VIPs from the club. The entertainment was courtesy of local

children. The VIPs were looking forward to another big night of

champions league football. The enters the patient is where you want

to be, not just the finances but the profile and exposure for the club.

It is the best club tournament in the world. To be part of that,

people sit up and recognise what you've done. It is truly a world

event tonight. It was almost a year ago that Celtic beat Arsenal some

honour for that famous when. -- beat Barcelona. We'll be fans be saying

tonight? I think tonight will be better. They are still the top team

in Europe but at Celtic Park with the fans behind them, they have a

great chance. So what are Celtics chances against

Barcelona? They beat them here last year - can they do it again? A short

while ago I spoke to the former Celtic defender Gary Caldwell. It is

obviously going to be a very difficult game. Barcelona are one of

the best teams which have ever been. They have to draw on experience of

last year remember what they did on that night to win the game.

Hopefully they can have the same outcome tonight. You have been in

the Celtic dressing room on big European nights like this, what will

the Celtic dressing room on big be owing on? I think the excitement

and just looking forward to the game. As a footballer you want to

play in games like this against the best players in the world. Barcelona

have some of the best players in the world so the players will be looking

forward to it. They know the challenge ahead is a big one, will

be looking forward to the game and looking forward to getting out there

and putting on a good performance and get a result. We know that

Lionel Messi is missing but could you underestimate the rest of the

squad? They have other world-class players as well but Lionel Messi is

the one who can hurt you. That should help Celtic, but they have

other players that can cause problems. They will still have to be

on their game defensively. Do you think that Barcelona will fear

Celtic going ahead, they talked about the aerial attack threat? I

think so. The stadium as well and what the fans bring to the game.

Everyone in Europe knows what I threat that is. Barcelona know that

on the night at Parkhead Celtic can when so they will be very careful

this year. And Gary is part of our Sportsound

team. The whole match live on BBC Radio Scotland 810 medium wave - the

guys are already on air. And on the website there's full coverage

including live texts. There have been mixed fortunes for

the two Scottish Daniels at the world gymnastic Championships in

Antwerp. The European pommel champion Daniel Keatings fell from

the horse to end his chances of a world medal. But better news for Dan

Purvis who qualified for Thursday's all red final in seven plays and

says that is still room for improvement. If I got another two

marks I would be in the top three and hopefully I can do that on

Thursday. Fingers crossed I will be in the final.

That's it from Celtic Park for now. Kick-off is less than an hour away

and we will have a full report on the late Reporting Scotland at half

past ten. Thank you very much. It's might be

for luck or just a sign of affection. But rubbing the nose of

Grayfriars Bobby, the statue the world famous Skye Terrier in

Edinburgh, has had an undesired effect. The action of thousands of

sightseers has given the nose a bit of a shine and now it's having to be

repaired. Morag Kinniburgh reports. It hurts to be loved so much, his

nose is eroded by fans. Restoration work has begun to prevent serious

damage. Locals say the nose rubbing must be stopped. There have been

late-night visits with black boot polish. So that tourists when the

rubber come away with slightly dirty hands. But polish is used by

professionals to bring back the colour before wax is used. It is

night -- nice to restore it but I do not get annoyed at all that M it is

so much admired as part of the Edinburgh scene. That is loved and

appreciated. It is a great asset to the city. This threat has been

robbed for years. Why have we developed such a fascination with

rubbing statues? You just want to see what it is so that you don't

miss out on something. Maybe just to see what it feels like. It is the

philosophy behind it. The story of the loyal dog which kept guard at

his grave has become world-famous. The council will be erecting

barriers to protect it. You have two approaches sensitive leg, rub it in

a gentle fashion and try not to rob layers of it off to take back to the

native states or elsewhere. The council argues nose rubbing is a bad

habit. Therefore look the weather.

Therefore look the The North was the place to be today,

scarcely a cloud in the sky. It has not been that way for everyone but

has been mainly drive. We have high pressure sitting over Scandinavia

and it is keeping these weather fronts away. Most of us will stay

dry tonight though it will be breezy with strong winds, gale force over

the Northern Isles. Some patchy drizzle over the hills tonight. More

persistent rain gets into Galloway and Western Argyle tomorrow morning.

It will be chilly in the far north. Clear skies down to six or seven

Celsius. We start out with a lot of cloud tomorrow and that rain will

affect many Western partners during morning. It will head eastwards as

the day goes on, becoming lighter and patchy as it does so. A largely

dry day in the East. By three o'clock some dry conditions for

Ayrshire and Galilee but still patchy rain for Galloway and

Perthshire and Stirlingshire. -- Yushu and Galloway. Another fine day

in the North. The North Highlands will see sunshine. Fresh to strong

southeasterly winds. They will remain throughout the afternoon and

evening. That remain -- that will remain for the evening. This weather

front will push ends on Thursday, bringing heavy spells of rain,

especially for the West Coast. That rain eases on Thursday. Temperatures

are around 17 or 18 Celsius. It will be Friday before the winds begin to

ease. It will start out wet in the west and then become drier. It will

be a more settled weekend. Now, a reminder of tonight's main

news in brief... be a more settled weekend.

Now, a reminder The number of homicides in Scotland has fallen to

its lowest level since records began nearly forty years ago. In the year

to the end of March, there were 62 killings - a fall of a third

compared with the total for the previous 12 months.

National parks and zines have closed in the US as some government

departments are shut down by the first time in 80 years. It is the

result of a bitter battle between Democrats and Republicans over the

budget. Rangers have reported operating

losses of £40 million. The figures cover the 30 months to June after

the clubs assets report out of administration. Rangers says the

results are in line with its five-year strategic plan. That's it

for now, goodbye.