Around 6.50pm last night – Tuesday, 30 December, 2025 – Police were made aware of disorder in the Albion Road area of Edinburgh ahead of the Hibernian v Aberdeen match.
Officers attended and a 26-year-old man was arrested for behaving in a threatening and abusive manner. He will appear at court at a later date.
An investigation is under way to identify further individuals involved in the disturbance.
Anyone with any information, or concerns, can approach officers or call 101 quoting incident number 1861 of Tuesday, 30 December, 2025.
A 20-year-old man was also arrested during the match in connection with a pitch invasion at the Edinburgh derby on Saturday, 27 December, 2025.
He was charged and will appear in court at a later date.
A man has been jailed for serious sexual offences against children which took place in Edinburgh.
Brian Stobie, 70, was sentenced to 12 years and nine months at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday – Tuesday, 30 December, 2025. He was convicted at the same court on Wednesday, 3 December, and also pleaded guilty to indecent communication offences.
Detective Inspector Steph Garnett said: “Stobie’s actions caused immeasurable harm to his young victims. Over several years he deliberately exploited children, and such behaviour is abhorrent in every sense. He will now face the consequences of his despicable actions.
“We remain committed to ensuring offenders like him are brought to justice.
“We know it is difficult to come forward and report sexual crime, but be assured you will be fully supported by our specially trained officers and partner agencies. There is no time bar to reporting, regardless of when it happened, please contact us so we can fully investigate.”
The not proven verdict will be abolished in all new criminal trials in Scotland from tomorrow – 1 January 2026 – to help create a clearer, fairer and more transparent decision-making process.
On the same date, the jury majority required for a conviction will move from the current simple majority to at least two-thirds of the 15 jurors. In addition, measures to enable more detailed research into jury deliberations will also be commenced.
Abolition of not proven and the associated jury reforms are key measures in the landmark Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act, passed by the Parliament in September.
The Act will also make reforms to the Parole Board for Scotland including that the Board must take into account whether a prisoner has information about the disposal of a victim’s remains but has not disclosed it, and must consider the safety and security of any victim and/or family members as part of their decisions on release. These changes will be implemented through changes to the Parole Board Rules in 2026.
The Scottish Government has already announced plans to commission, as a priority, research into how ‘rape myths’ – false, stereotyped and prejudicial beliefs about sexual assaults – may affect verdicts.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “Victims, families and support organisations campaigned long and hard for the abolition of the not proven verdict and I am pleased that this historic change will take effect for all new criminal trials from 1 January.
“Not proven is a widely misunderstood verdict and one with no statutory definition. I have heard compelling evidence about the devastating impact that the not proven verdict can have on complainers because of its lack of clarity or lack of closure for them, and it can leave a lingering stigma for the accused. Such a verdict risks undermining public confidence, while the two opposing verdicts of guilty and not guilty are unambiguous and clear.
“Moving from a simple majority to a two-thirds majority for a criminal conviction alongside the change to a two-verdict system is a proportionate and balanced reform that is mindful of the unique nature of the Scottish system.
“The reforms to parole to be introduced in 2026 will bring a further positive change for victims and their families by strengthening in law further factors that the Parole Board must consider in their decision-making. We want to ensure the parole system works for all those involved, which is also why we recently led a public consultation to inform improvements and ensure the system is transparent, trauma-informed, and delivers for everyone.”
The not proven verdict will be abolished for all new criminal trials in Scotland from 1st January 2026, under regulations laid at Holyrood.
This historic reform is part of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Act, passed in @ScotParl in September.
With New Years Eve just around the corner, dog owners are being urged to watch for the lesser-known signs of fear so they can take early steps to comfort their pets, reduce exposure to loud noises and keep them safe.
The dog training experts from Acme Kennels have warned pet owners to recognise the more unknown indicators of stress in their dogs when fireworks are expected, to help prevent long term distress.
New Year firework displays can be extremely upsetting for dogs due to the loud, unpredictable sounds; and while barking and trembling are common signs of fear, more subtle cues such as showing the whites of the eyes, unusual tail carriage and swivelling ears should not be ignored.
Each of these signs offers owners an opportunity to intervene before fear escalates, and by being aware of these early signs, they can respond calmly and provide reassurance to help their dog feel safe and secure, preventing fear from worsening.
If these early signs of stress are missed, a dog’s anxiety can intensify, potentially leading to panic, injury, or longer-term fear and behavioural issues.
Ben McFarlane, expert from ACME Kennels, said: “Unfortunately, New Years Eve can be extremely distressing for dogs, so it is important that owners recognise the early signs of stress to protect their pet’s welfare.
“A dog that begins to show mild tension, such as body stiffness, lip-licking or a tucked tail, may quickly progress to trying to escape or a loss of toileting control if those signs are ignored as their fear and anxiety increase.
“By noticing and responding to these behaviours early, owners can provide reassurance, create a calm environment and help prevent fear from developing into a lasting problem.”
Six early signs of fear in dogs on New Years Eve, according to the experts at ACME Kennels:
Body stiffness and frozen stance: When a dog’s muscles tense and it “locks” in place, it may feel overwhelmed. Unlike a poised retrieve, a frozen stance implies uncertainty.
Lip-licking and yawning: These displacement behaviours often surface when a dog is unsure how to respond. A dog yawning repeatedly or licking its lips could be signalling anxiety.
Whale-eye (showing the whites of the eyes): Turning the head while keeping the body forward, revealing the eye’s white margin, indicates the dog is watching a perceived threat, and could be scared.
Tail carriage: A dog that carries its tail unusually low or tucked close to the body is expressing unease. On the other hand, a tail held rigidly upright can signal heightened stress rather than excitement.
Paw lifting and pacing: Lifting a front paw or pacing in a confined area suggests the dog would rather escape the situation.
Ears pinned or swivelling: Dogs rely on ear position to filter sounds. Ears flattened back or constantly swivelling may reveal sensory overload, especially in noisy environments.
For more information on how to look after your dog, visit:
Ronaq, one of Edinburgh’s leading Indian restaurants, is serving up a new year treat for customers with 50 per cent off its entire menu for the month of January.
Having introduced the offer last year, bosses have been inundated with enquiries from diners keen to know if there were plans to run something similar to kick off 2026.
The good news is that the big discount will once again be running from New Year’s Day at the Comely Bank eatery, which is also a BYOB.
Whether it’s fragrant biryanis, signature karahi dishes or Ronaq specials, customers can now enjoy it all at a fraction of the price.
“The name Ronaq means brightness and joy and we hope to bring lots of that to our customers in January with this offer,” said owner Mohammed Shoaib, who has been serving the finest Indian and Pakistani cuisine since opening in 2014.
“It was really popular last January and I lost count in recent weeks of the number of people asking if we were going to do the same this time.
“We want to give back to our loyal customers and what better way than by providing them with a memorable Ronaq dining experience at a memorable price?”
Opening times from 1 January are noon-2pm and 5pm-10pm, seven days a week
Professor Mercedes Maroto-Valer, Heriot-Watt University’s Deputy Principal for Global Sustainability, has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Low Energy Technologies.
The honour was announced today (Dec 30) with the publication of the King’s New Year Honours List 2026, which recognises exceptional contributions made by individuals across the 15 Commonwealth realms.
IDRIC plays a central role in supporting the green transformation of the UK’s industrial heartlands. Funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the national funding body for science and research, the centre brings together academia, industry and government to deliver practical solutions for economic growth to the country’s decarbonisation challenges at a scale that matters.
She also leads Heriot-Watt’s Research Centre for Carbon Solutions (RCCS ), a world-leading engineering centre, inspiring and delivering innovation for the wider deployment of technologies needed to meet carbon targets.
Professor Maroto-Valer was selected for the honour by King Charles III in recognition of her internationally respected leadership in energy and her remarkable contributions in low-energy technologies that reduce emissions while supporting long-term economic growth.
She said: “I am deeply humbled to receive this Honour. Addressing climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time, with low energy technologies representing not just an environmental necessity, but also an economic opportunity.
“This recognition reflects the collective efforts of the outstanding colleagues, partners and students I have had the privilege to work with in driving innovation, improving competitiveness, and ensuring a prosperous and sustainable transition to net zero.”
Professor Maroto-Valer is a globally recognised engineer whose work has helped shape the international response to climate change and supporting growth in a low-carbon global economy. Since 2022, she has led Heriot-Watt University’s sustainability strategy and goals, working closely with students, staff and alumni to embed sustainability across teaching, research and operations.
She also holds leading positions in a number of professional societies and editorial boards. These include her role on the UN Council of Engineers for the Energy Transition (CEET), a high-level, independent advisory council supporting the UN Secretary-General’s ambition to identify practical engineering pathways to net zero through expert scientific analysis and guidance.
Congratulating Professor Maroto-Valer, Heriot-Watt’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard A. Williams, said: “This honour is richly deserved and reflects Professor Maroto-Valer’s exceptional leadership, global influence and unwavering commitment to tackling climate change.
“Her work exemplifies Heriot-Watt University’s mission to deliver research with real-world impact, and we are immensely proud of her contributions to engineering, sustainability and the global energy transition.”
Professor Maroto-Valer will formally receive her OBE at a ceremony in 2026.
A leading forensic soil scientist from The James Hutton Institute has been conferred the honour of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the New Year Honours List.
Professor Lorna Dawson, Head of the Centre for Forensic Soil Science at the Hutton, was recommended for the award by His Majesty the King for her services to innovations in soil and forensic science.
An internationally renowned soil scientist, Professor Dawson has over 35 years of experience in managing and conducting research in soil and plant interactions, particularly their application in the criminal justice system.
She has reported and advised on over 200 criminal cases and written over 150 Expert Witness reports, both in the UK and abroad. Additionally, she has presented evidence in more than 25 cases, including the World’s End murders and the Sheku Bayoh Public Inquiry.
Professor Dawson has previously been awarded a Commander of the British Empire, having been named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in June 2018. She has also received a Special Recognition award at the 2017 Pride of Britain awards ceremony and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Royal Royal Scottish Geographical Society, the British Society of Soil Science and the Royal Society of Biology.
Professor Dawson said: “I am deeply honoured and immensely humbled to be recognised with a Damehood in His Majesty the King’s New Year 2026 Honours List. This award reflects the extraordinary contributions of the Centre for Forensic Soil Science at the James Hutton Institute and the many dedicated collaborators who work with us.
“Soil science may seem an unsung discipline, but its applications — from underpinning sustainable land management, producing safe, nutritious food, to providing robust scientific evidence that supports the criminal justice system — make a real difference to society in the UK and across the world.
“I am grateful for the support of my family, my professional networks, and the wider scientific, policy, policing and legal communities, whose collective passion and expertise have made this pioneering work possible.”
700,000 benefit awards transferred to Social Security Scotland
Carers and disabled people have had their benefit awards safely and securely transferred to Social Security Scotland from the Department for Work and Pensions after a multi-year project.
More than 700,000 benefit awards have been successfully moved over to the Scottish system, meaning every disabled person and carer in the country who received Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance or Carer’s Allowance will now receive their benefits from Social Security Scotland.
The case transfer process was designed so people did not need to reapply for their benefits or experience any break in the payments they rely on for vital support.
More than 700,000 benefit awards successfully transferred to Social Security Scotland.
Every disabled person and carer in Scotland now receives support directly from us.
Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, said: “Moving more than 700,000 benefits safely and securely from the DWP to Social Security Scotland was a huge undertaking that was essential to ensure carers and disabled people who need financial support are treated with the dignity, fairness and respect they deserve.
“We have also met our commitment to complete case transfer on time and on budget by the end of 2025.
“When developing our case transfer process, people told us about the stress and anxiety caused by DWP transitions where they had to apply for benefits again with no guarantee they would continue to be eligible.
“We’ve taken a different approach, transferring people’s benefit awards without requiring an application and ensuring no break in entitlement to protect people’s critical payments.
“We set out to deliver a fairer social security system starting from a position of trust, and the majority of clients have told us they were treated with kindness by staff during the process.”
First Minister John Swinney has announced additional funding to help people with their mental health. A further £3 million will be made available so people can get early help close to home to improve their wellbeing and tackle loneliness.
Since 2021, more than 6,100 grants have been awarded from the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults to projects, including those that deliver:
support groups for people with long-term health conditions
walking, cycling and fitness sessions to reduce stress
arts and music programmes to build confidence and social connection
befriending services for older adults and carers
The additional funding was announced by First Minister John Swinney ahead of a visit to the EATS Rosyth community hub and garden.
The First Minister said: “I am pleased to announce a further £3 million from the Scottish Government for projects to help people with their mental health and wellbeing.
“This investment reflects our commitment to healthcare that delivers prevention and early intervention, supporting people before they reach crisis point and prioritising those who are most at risk.
“Local support for people who need a bit of extra help with their mental health is really important – projects close to home in familiar settings are often where people feel the safest and most comfortable.
“Offering that kind of support is particularly important at this time of year, which many find difficult. But the festive season also reminds us of the importance of kindness, compassion, and caring for one another.
“Getting outside and spending time in the fresh air can really improve our physical and mental wellbeing, and the Fund that I am announcing today has supported projects that support people to do exactly that.
“After seeing the new community hub, I am looking forward to visiting the EATS Rosyth garden to see how local people are benefitting from the chance to enjoy valuable time outdoors.”
With the additional £3 million investment, total funding from the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults in 2025-2026 will be £18 million, and the total provided by the Fund since 2021 will be £84 million.
