2016 has been the best year for me yet - career wise. And it is all because I took control as reporter of one of the busiest crime beats in the world.

From standing at the edge of a crime scene to sitting in Glasgow Sheriff Court, my job never fails to challenge me.

I was first on the scene after we received a call from a member of the public who told me there was a large police presence in the Calton.

Police tape covered a huge stretch of the East End area back in June as officers probed the death of pensioner John Baker who was allegedly repeatedly stabbed.

Mr Baker, who had lived in the Calton his whole life, died from his injuries.

Murder cops then quickly revealed they believed that the person responsible for the alleged stabbing was connected to an attempted robbery and robbery on two women which had taken place the prior day.

Peter Telfer, 24, who is also from the Calton, was remanded in custody after he was charged with murdering the pensioner, attempting to rob a woman and robbing another woman.

During a preliminary hearing at the High Court in October, which I also attended, Telfer’s lawyer entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.

Court papers revealed he had been given bail for allegedly attempting to rob a shop on Shettleston Road on June 24 – prior to the alleged murder. He is due to stand trial in April.

The one thing that makes this story memorable is the community of the Calton who pulled on a united front to make sure one of their own was given a send-off he deserved as funds were raised for Mr Baker’s funeral.

If there is one thing I hate, it is callous attacks on the elderly.

And speaking to Govan man William Todd’s wife after he was mugged brought this home.

Sick thugs left the 84-year-old black and blue after they pounced on him to steal money close to Govan’s Salvation Army Hall back in May.

There was a nice element to this story, however, as money was raised for William following the attack by The Red Lion bar in Kinning Park where he was a punter for 27 years.

I spoke to a detective recently to ask for an update on the case, and unfortunately William’s attackers have not been caught.

We often help people in this job and when I spoke to Baillieston man Gerry Bartley he was at the end of his tether.

He ended up with two cars after cops failed to tell him his stolen vehicle had been returned.

The administrative error by Police Scotland left Gerry without his car for more than a month.

Police Scotland admitted the error and apologised to Gerry.

At the time, Gerry said: The actual crime has been easier to deal with. I don’t have a lot of faith in the police after this.”

My favourite part of this job is spending time with police officers and seeing first hand what they do.

I joined Detective Inspector Fergus Hutcheson, of Glasgow CID Proactive on Operation Tripletail as part of raid on car washes exploiting Eastern European workers.

I also spent time with the Divisional Violence Reduction Unit in Castlemilk who are deployed to target hotspots across the city.

When I was out with them, their officers were sent to help in the search for Kirsty Aitchison who was later found in the River Clyde.

The death of Craig Allison from Ruchill was also covered by The Evening Times.

Tragic angler Craig Allison was found dead in April by a member of the public at an area known as the ‘Slushie’ at the River Kelvin in Maryhill.

His family were told his death was “unexplained” and we last reported how they demanded answers from Police Scotland.

Sitting in court, I often report on the attacks our front line emergency services have to deal with.

And when I reported Police constables George McDonald, Heather Ferry and Alan Kerr who were all commended for their actions at the Police Scotland Bravery and Meritorious Service Award, I have to admit I was shocked by the violence they had faced.

PC McDonald was whacked across the face with an iron by a suspect while PC Ferry and PC Kerr were threatened by a thug carrying a petrol bomb.

Finally, the one thing that stays with me especially over the festive period is the missing people.

There are so many cases being investigated by Police Scotland including missing Govanhill woman Janet McQueen.

Chief Inspector Graham McInarlin told me it is still a priority to find her.

She vanished from her home in Langside Road on October 18.