'Limbs-in-loch' appeal under way

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The man convicted of the "limbs-in-the-loch" murder of an Ayrshire teenager has begun an appeal to clear his name.

William Beggs is trying to quash his conviction for killing and dismembering Barry Wallace in Kilmarnock in 1999.

The 18-year-old's severed limbs and torso were recovered from Loch Lomond, while his head was washed up on a beach near Troon, Ayrshire.

Beggs, 46, originally from Northern Ireland, was ordered to serve a minimum of 20 years for the murder.

He was jailed for life at the High Court in Edinburgh in October 2001.

Defence concerns

Beggs' defence team subsequently won the right to appeal against the conviction on a number of grounds.

It is claimed pre-trial publicity affected his chances of a fair trial.

Concerns were also raised over the legality of his extradition from Amsterdam.

The validity of a search warrant used by police officers to gather evidence has also been questioned.

Beggs' appeal, which is expected to run for eight days, is being heard at the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh.