'Put up or shut up' challenge up in Jodi Jones case

Nigel Beaumont claimed the fact that his client Luke Mitchell, 15, had not been charged more than three months after a Lothian and Borders Police file was submitted to Crown prosecutors indicates there is not enough evidence to proceed against him over the Dalkeith girl’s death.

It has been reported that Luke is the only suspect mentioned in the police report to prosecutors.

Mr Beaumont said: "We were told a decision regarding prosecution would be made by the middle of February. That date has gone and no decision has been made.

"This is a clear indication that there is insufficient evidence to bring any charges against my client, let alone a conviction. Luke Mitchell is an innocent young child whose reputation has been highly damaged in the eyes of the public and he and his family are under immense pressure while the case continues to drag on. It’s high time these people either put up or shut up."

Mr Beaumont added that the allegations continued to "cast a great shadow" over Luke’s life.

Jodi was stabbed to death on June 30 last year, not long after leaving home to meet with Luke. On the day of her funeral, Luke denied any involvement in the murder in a TV interview.

Edinburgh fiscal William Gallacher has been studying the dossier of evidence in the case since November 25.

A spokesman for the Crown Office said: "Investigations are still ongoing. There is no set time for such procedures because every case is different."