Churchyard rape horror

Police yesterday confirmed a teenager was raped on the grounds of a Paisley church.

The 18-year-old victim was subjected to a terrifying ordeal at Thomas Coats Memorial Church, in the High Street, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Detectives yesterday revealed that they were not told about the sex assault until Tuesday.

The historic landmark was cordoned off while forensic teams examined the scene.

However, it then took Police Scotland until yesterday to publicly confirm that they were investigating the rape.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Police were informed on Tuesday of a serious sexual assault on an 18-year-old woman, which occurred around 3am on Sunday, April 30, within the grounds of the Thomas Coats Memorial Church, in Paisley.

“Police are following a definite line of enquiry.”

CONCERNS RAISED THAT SHOCK RESULT IS DUE TO CONFUSION OVER CANDIDATES’ NAMES

David Campbell

Ferguslie Park residents were yesterday stunned that a To r y councillor had been elected in their ward.

But speculation is rife that voters had plumped for the wrong John McIntyre.

We spoke to voters immediately after the shock announcement, with many claiming the local electorate had thought they’d actually voted for popular community activist John Goudie McIntyre, who was standing as an independent.

Ferguslie Park’s new Conservative councillor admitted yesterday that he was “shocked” to have been voted on to Renfrewshire Council.

It’s believed to be the first time in decades that a Conservative has been voted in for the area — the most deprived community in Scotland.

Ian Clark, 37, bed manager at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, was adamant the people had made a mistake at the