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Elaine Doyle accused John Docherty 'blames others' | Elaine Doyle accused John Docherty 'blames others' |
(about 17 hours later) | |
A man has denied murdering a schoolgirl 27 years ago and put forward a list of 41 other possible suspects. | A man has denied murdering a schoolgirl 27 years ago and put forward a list of 41 other possible suspects. |
John Docherty, 49, also claims that at the time he is alleged to have stripped and strangled Elaine Doyle, 16, in a lane in Greenock he was at home with his parents, who are no longer alive. | John Docherty, 49, also claims that at the time he is alleged to have stripped and strangled Elaine Doyle, 16, in a lane in Greenock he was at home with his parents, who are no longer alive. |
Docherty, now of Hunters' Quay, Holiday Village, Dunoon, appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh. | Docherty, now of Hunters' Quay, Holiday Village, Dunoon, appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh. |
The court heard that he blamed the crime on "person or persons unknown." | The court heard that he blamed the crime on "person or persons unknown." |
The 16-year-old died on her way home from a disco in Greenock, Inverclyde, on 1 June, 1986. Her body was found the next day in a lane off Ardgowan Street. | The 16-year-old died on her way home from a disco in Greenock, Inverclyde, on 1 June, 1986. Her body was found the next day in a lane off Ardgowan Street. |
The charge alleges that on 2 June 1986, in a lane near Elaine Doyle's home Docherty seized her by the hair, struck her on the head and either removed or compelled her to remove her clothing. | The charge alleges that on 2 June 1986, in a lane near Elaine Doyle's home Docherty seized her by the hair, struck her on the head and either removed or compelled her to remove her clothing. |
It alleges that he then forced the teenager to the ground, pushed her face into the ground, sat or knelt on her then placed a ligature round her neck and strangled her. | It alleges that he then forced the teenager to the ground, pushed her face into the ground, sat or knelt on her then placed a ligature round her neck and strangled her. |
Docherty also denies stealing a handbag from Ardgowan Street on the same date. | Docherty also denies stealing a handbag from Ardgowan Street on the same date. |
He further denies a charge of attacking another woman, Linda Hargie, on various occasions at an address in Ann Street, Greenock by seizing her and pushing her and punching her on the head. | |
List of names | List of names |
As the trial began, the jury heard that defence QC Donald Findlay had given the court notice of Docherty's alibi. | As the trial began, the jury heard that defence QC Donald Findlay had given the court notice of Docherty's alibi. |
Another document lodged by the defence stated that Docherty denied murder and theft and blamed the crime on "person or persons unknown." | Another document lodged by the defence stated that Docherty denied murder and theft and blamed the crime on "person or persons unknown." |
The so-called special defence of incrimination claimed that the culprit might be among a list of names taken from files of the police investigation into the alleged murder and 41 names were read to the jury. | The so-called special defence of incrimination claimed that the culprit might be among a list of names taken from files of the police investigation into the alleged murder and 41 names were read to the jury. |
This is the first case to come to trial following an investigation by the Crown Office's cold case unit. | This is the first case to come to trial following an investigation by the Crown Office's cold case unit. |
It was set up to look at unsolved murders across the country. | It was set up to look at unsolved murders across the country. |
Mr Docherty was arrested last year after a police operation in Greenock, which followed renewed appeals about the case, including one on the BBC's Crimewatch programme. | Mr Docherty was arrested last year after a police operation in Greenock, which followed renewed appeals about the case, including one on the BBC's Crimewatch programme. |
The trial, before judge Lord Stewart, continues. | The trial, before judge Lord Stewart, continues. |
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