Search of field in hunt for murdered woman

A MAJOR search of a field was under way yesterday as part of the inquiry into the murder of missing financial adviser Lynda Spence.

The 28-year-old was last seen leaving her parents’ home in Glasgow Harbour on 13 April last year. Her body has never been discovered.

However, four men are due to stand trial accused of kidnapping her in Glasgow and subjecting her to a two-week ordeal of torture and abuse, before killing her and disposing of her body.

A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police confirmed the search was being carried out at Law Hill, West Kilbride, Ayrshire, in connection with the murder inquiry, but would not give any further details.

It is understood the search will continue for another couple of days.

Four men – Colin Coates, 41, Paul Smith, 45, Philip Wade, 40, and David Parker, 36 – are accused of abducting Ms Spence, forcing her to travel to a house in Ayrshire and detaining her there against her will.

It is also alleged they cut off her fingers and thumb, and attacked her with a golf club, an iron and a hammer.

All four men are further accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by cleaning the house with bleach, removing floorboards and disposing of her body.