JOHN DOCHERTY CONVICTED OF 1986 GREENOCK TEENAGE MURDER IN DUNOON CASE

In a landmark case that has spanned over three decades, John Docherty, a 50-year-old former soldier from Dunoon, has been found guilty of the brutal murder of 16-year-old Elaine Doyle in Greenock in 1986. The conviction, delivered at the High Court in Edinburgh, marks the culmination of a lengthy investigation into one of Scotland’s most enduring unsolved crimes.

Elaine Doyle’s body was discovered in a lane near her parents’ flat on Ardgowan Street in Greenock, a short distance from her home. She had been strangled, and her death shocked the local community and the wider Inverclyde area. The incident occurred on June 2, 1986, after Elaine had attended a disco at the Greenock Celtic Club located on Laird Street. She left the venue with her close friend, Lynn McCurdy, who is now 44. Lynn testified during the trial that they had walked together to a hamburger stall in Greenock’s town centre, and after parting ways around midnight, Elaine began her walk home.

Despite the passage of time, the case remained unresolved until recent advances in forensic science provided new leads. The court heard that Elaine’s body was found naked, and forensic scientist Pauline McSorley explained that DNA evidence collected from her clothing and body was crucial in solving the case. Initially, the DNA samples contained traces from police, forensic scientists, and laboratory staff, which complicated the investigation. However, in May 2012, Docherty voluntarily provided a DNA sample, and another was obtained when he was arrested and charged with the murder in March of the following year.

DNA analysis revealed an exact match between the genetic material found on Elaine and Docherty’s DNA profile. The evidence showed that the DNA on her back and face matched Docherty’s profile, with the likelihood of it belonging to anyone else being one in 560,000. This scientific evidence was pivotal in securing the conviction, despite attempts by Docherty’s defense team, led by QC Donald Findlay, to challenge the findings. The defense argued that the police investigation was flawed, claiming contamination of the crime scene and suggesting that other suspects could have been responsible. They presented a list of 41 potential suspects from police files, attempting to cast doubt on Docherty’s guilt.

Nevertheless, the jury, comprising eight women and seven men, was not convinced by the defense’s arguments. After more than four hours of deliberation, they returned a verdict of guilty. The judge, Lord Stewart, acknowledged the shortcomings in the initial investigation but praised the police’s persistence and the advances in forensic science that ultimately led to justice. He confirmed that the only appropriate sentence for murder was life imprisonment and ordered a background report before sentencing.

Elaine Doyle’s family expressed relief and a sense of closure following the verdict. Her brother, John Doyle, aged 49, stated, “The jury returned the right decision. I always knew John Docherty was guilty.” The case also highlighted the importance of modern forensic techniques, which played a crucial role in solving a case that had remained open for over 28 years. Detective Superintendent Bobby Hendren of Police Scotland remarked on the long shadow cast by Elaine’s murder over Greenock and praised the efforts of the specialized Cold Case unit established by the Crown Office in 2011. This unit was tasked with reviewing unsolved murders dating back to 1974, and the successful conviction in Elaine’s case stands as a testament to their work.

As Docherty was taken into custody to await sentencing in Glasgow, the case served as a reminder of the relentless pursuit of justice and the advances in forensic science that continue to bring closure to long-standing cases. Elaine Doyle’s memory remains alive in the community, and her family can now find some peace knowing her killer has been brought to justice after more than 28 years.