Man in court over 1986 teen murder

A MAN accused of murdering a teenage girl more than 27 years ago has appeared in a public court for the first time.

John Docherty is accused of strangling and killing 16-year-old Elaine Doyle in Greenock, Inverclyde, on June 2 1986.

He denies the charges against him and his trial is set to get under way next month.

Ms Doyle died on her way home from a disco before her body was discovered in a lane in the town.

Docherty, of Dunoon, appeared at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday for his first preliminary hearing in an open court.

The 49-year-old is charged with attacking Ms Doyle at a lane leading from Greenock’s Ardgowan Street.

It is alleged he seized her by the hair, struck her on the head, struggled with her and removed, or compelled her to remove, her clothing.

As part of the murder charge, prosecutors further allege that Docherty forced the teenager to the ground, sat or knelt on top of her, placed a ligature around her neck and strangled her.

Docherty also faces two other charges, of theft and assault to injury.

The Crown also alleges that on various occasions between January 1 1990 and December 31 1995, at addresses in Gourock and Greenock, Docherty assaulted Linda Hargie to her injury. He is accused of seizing her, pushing her, struggling with her and punching her on the head.

Docherty denies the charges against him and has lodged special defences of alibi and incrimination.