Man, 31, arrested in connection with death of Paige Doherty

A MAN has been arrested in connection with the death of 15-year-old Paige Doherty, police have confirmed.

Murdered teenager Paige Doherty. Picture: Contributed

The teenager was last spotted at the Delicious Deli in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, on Saturday morning.

She had been due to catch a bus to her part-time hairdressing job but never arrived at the salon.

The schoolgirl’s body was found two days later in bushes at the side of Great Western Road.

Police Scotland said yesterday that a 31-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the girl’s death.

He is being held in police custody and is expected to appear at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Saturday.

The arrest follows intense police activity in the areas around where Paige was last seen, at about 8:20am on Saturday, and where her body was eventually found.

Specialist forensic officers had been searching the Fleming Avenue deli on Thursday. Officers could also be seen examining a property in a nearby street.

• READ MORE: Clydebank’s Titan Crane to be lit up in memory of Paige Doherty

Paige’s mother, Pamela Munro, said the family is “devastated” by the teenager’s death. She said in an earlier statement released through police: “We are absolutely devastated that we have lost our beautiful little girl.”

The alarm was raised when Paige failed to arrive at the hairdressers in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, where she worked.

This arrest comes two days after police appealed for information and said they were trying to track Paige’s last known movements.

Speaking at the time, senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Duncan Sloan described her as a “very independent young lady” and a “young, friendly girl with plenty of friends”.

He said last night: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who contacted us with information.

“The response from the public has been outstanding.”

Laura Mason, chief education officer at West Dunbartonshire Council, said the local authority was supporting friends affected by the death.

Two fundraising pages to help Paige’s family meet funeral costs and other expenses collected more than £14,000 a day after they were set up.

In memory of Paige, the landmark Titan Crane in Clydebank was being lit pink yesterday.

Provost Douglas McAllister said: “Our community is in shock at this tragedy and our thoughts and prayers are with Paige’s family and friends. This is a small gesture of support for everyone who knew Paige.”