World’s End: Families ‘finally have justice’

The father of one of the teenagers killed by Angus Sinclair in the World’s End murders today branded the murderer ‘a beast’ as Sinclair was jailed for 37 years.

Helen Scott's brother Kevin Scott, father Morain Scott and niece Aimee Scott outside Livingston Sheriff Court. Pic: David Cheskin/PA Wire

The convicted killer and paedophile was found guilty of raping and murdering teenage girls Christine Eadie and Helen Scott 37 years ago.

After sentencing, Helen’s brother Kevin Scott spoke outside court on behalf of the families of both girls.

Standing beside his father Morain and Christine’s brother Hamilton Craig, he said: “We have waited 37 years for justice. Today that wait has ended and we finally have justice for Helen and Christine.

Christine Eadie and Helen Anne Scott.

“It’s been long and at times a very lonely battle but in our different ways we didn’t give up and I would like to thank all those other people who didn’t give up; our friends, the police again some no longer with us, the prosecutors, the forensic scientists and the public.

“Decades after their deaths, Helen and Christine’s legacy is to have changed Scotland’s justice system for the better, politicians came together for Helen and Christine and through the introduction of the double jeopardy amendment which will prevent other families suffering as we have.”

Helen’s father said of Sinclair: “I wouldn’t call him an animal, because animals kill for food.

“He’s just a beast if anything else and I’m quite sure in my own mind there could be other crimes against him.”

After the verdict, Mr Mulholland, who prosecuted the case, thanked all of those who had helped bring Sinclair to justice, particularly “the thousands of police officers who have worked on the case over the years”.

He took the unusual step of reading the names of all the senior investigating officers involved to the court, pointing out that many were now dead.

He said: “The police have never ceased in their endeavours to bring the girls’ murderers to justice. Today that hard work, mirrored by that of the many experts who have given evidence in this case and who have contributed to this case, and in particular the forensic scientists, is now at an end.

“There are no words, no words whatsoever, that I can say to the court on behalf of the families of both girls that would do justice to the the loss felt by them for their beloved daughters and what happened to them and the 37 years they have had to wait for justice.”

Speaking following the sentencing, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “This case came to court after the Scottish Government brought forward the Double Jeopardy (Scotland) Act, which was unanimously passed by Parliament. Double jeopardy is a centuries old principle of Scots law which prevents a person being tried twice for the same offence, but in this day and age, there should be no escape from justice.

“We modernised the law, with safeguards, to make it fit for the 21st century. If new evidence emerges which shows the original ruling was fundamentally flawed, it should be possible to have a second trial. And trials which are tainted by threats or corruption should also be re-run.

“We have acted in the interests of Scottish justice, victims and their families and we hope this news brings some comfort to the families of the victims of these terrible crimes.”