News In Focus
9 March 2010
"Limbs in the loch" killer appeal refused
The criminal appeal court has refused the appeal against conviction by William Beggs for the murder of Ayrshire teenager Barry Wallace in December 1999.
The killing became known as the "limbs in the loch" murder after parts of the victim's dismembered body were found in Loch Lomond and in the sea. Beggs, who fled abroad and was extradited from the Netherlands, is currently serving a minimum of 20 years imposed in October 2001.
He has since engaged in a lengthy legal battle to challenge his conviction.
Beggs complained of prejudice to his trial due to prior publicity, and alleged legal defects relating to his extradition and to a search warrant, but Lord Eassie, Lady Paton and Lord Bannatyne rejected all the grounds of appeal.
An appeal against sentence is to be heard at a later date.