Shocking footage exposes a care worker as a callous thief stealing money from a vulnerable 80-year-old woman. Cruel Amanda Morgan was caught by a £30 spy camera hidden in pensioner Theresa Fettes’ sitting room. The sting was organised by the OAP’s daughter, Irene Thomson, after her mother accused HER of taking cash.

Social work services are making a difference to communities and vulnerable people across Aberdeenshire, according to social work inspectors. The Social Work Inspection Agency (SWIA) has covered all aspects of the council’s services, with most areas being rated good.

{mosimage} Labour has suffered another blow ahead of next May’s local elections in Edinburgh after an eight high-profile councillor announced he is to quit. Kingsley Thomas, the city’s health and social care leader, has become the latest senior Labour figure to reveal he is to stand down from the City Chambers. The party now faces losing more than half of its 13-strong cabinet, as well as licensing board convener Phil Attridge, and Labour insiders are talking of “panic” over their prospects at the polls.

Highland Council’s continuing cash crisis was highlighted yesterday by the revelation of a projected social work overspend of almost £1million. The authority had managed to slash £2.1m from its housing and social work budget, but warned that any further reduction would seriously effect services.

{mosimage} The head of Scotland’s flagship secure unit for under-16s has been suspended after being provisionally disqualified from working with children.

William McFadyen was sent home from St Philip’s School near Airdrie, Lanarkshire, after authorities were told of allegations made against him when he worked at Kerelaw, the Ayrshire residential unit closed earlier this year amid one of Scotland’s biggest-ever child abuse investigations.

One of the men who killed Kriss Donald was out of prison on early release when he murdered the Glasgow teenager. Imran Shahid was sentenced to 30 months in February 2003 for assault to danger of life and dangerous driving. Shahid, 29, who had also been in prison for assault in 1995, was released after nine months and went on to kill 15-year-old Kriss three months later. The SNP’s Nicola Sturgeon said it was appalling that Imran Shahid committed such a crime while on early release.

A new multi-million pound private care home is set to open in the Capital, creating 88 new beds for elderly patients and up to 120 jobs. Four Seasons Health Care has already started work on the new centre, behind its Guthrie Court home in Liberton.

{mosimage} Three men have been jailed for life after they were found guilty of the racially motivated murder of white Glasgow teenager Kriss Donald. Faisal Mushtaq, 27, Zeeshan Shahid, 28, and his brother Imran Shahid, 29, had denied murdering Kriss, 15, in 2004.

Kriss’s mother Angela – quiet during the trial – shouted: “You bastards,” as the jury delivered its verdict. Imran Shahid must serve of a minimum of 25 years, Zeeshan Shahid, 23 years minimum and Mushtaq, at least 22 years.

Outside the court, Ms Donald, 42, thanked police, the prosecution and witnesses. She said: “Justice has been done, thank you – it is over.”

The jury of nine women and six men took about eight and a half hours to reach its verdict.

The number of disabled people waiting for supported accommodation in Edinburgh has soared in the last five years as city leaders battle a cash crisis. New figures show that in September there were 136 people waiting to be housed by Edinburgh City Council – a rise of 89 per cent since 2001.

From the age of seven, Andrew Dudgeon has looked after his ailing mother and father, providing vital practical support as well as much needed emotional care. As well as his daily schoolwork, Andrew, now 15, is responsible for running the house, coping with the regular chores his parents are unable to carry out.