Man cleared of student’s murder dies

A man who was cleared of murdering a 19-year-old drama student 25 years ago has died, his lawyer has confirmed.

Francis Auld was acquitted of the murder of Amanda Duffy after standing trial in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire.

Her body was found on wasteground in Hamilton in May 1992. The Crown attempted to seek a retrial under the double jeopardy rule which allows cases to be tried twice if there is sufficient evidence.

In February 2016, however, the legal bid at the Court of Criminal Appeal failed.

Gavin Lawson, of Murray, Hamilton & Chalmers, who was Mr Auld’s lawyer, confirmed Auld, who was in his 40s, died of pancreatic cancer on Saturday. 0 Francis Auld was acquitted of the murder of Amanda Duffy