JOHN LEATHEM'S HORRIFIC KILLING OF PAIGE DOHERTY IN CLYDEBANK SHOCKS SCOTLAND

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Clydebank and the wider Glasgow area, John Leathem was sentenced to life imprisonment today for the brutal murder of 15-year-old schoolgirl Paige Doherty. The heinous crime took place on March 19 at Leathem’s deli, Delicious Deli, located in Clydebank, near Glasgow, and has left a lasting scar on the local community.

Leathem, aged 32, was convicted of a frenzied and savage attack that resulted in the schoolgirl suffering a staggering 146 stab wounds. The attack was characterized by extreme violence, with Paige being stabbed 61 times, including 43 blows to her head and neck, some of which were described as “fatal lacerations.” The post-mortem examination revealed that her body also bore 85 additional cuts, which investigators described as “defensive wounds,” indicating she had attempted to fight off her attacker during the assault.

The incident unfolded in the early hours of March 19, when Paige was last seen buying a sausage roll at Leathem’s shop, Delicious Deli, shortly after 8:20 am. CCTV footage from outside the premises captured her entering the shop, but tragically, she did not leave alive. According to reports, Leathem engaged Paige in a brief conversation about a potential job in his shop before suddenly launching into a violent attack. He seized a blade and stabbed her repeatedly, inflicting 61 wounds, including 43 to her head and neck, in what authorities described as a ten-minute bloodbath.

Following the attack, Leathem quickly pulled down the shutters of his deli, claiming to a nearby hairdresser’s owner that he had a nosebleed and needed to collect his car. He then jogged back to his nearby home, before returning in his silver Ford Focus to conceal the crime. Evidence indicates that he bought bin bags and antibacterial wipes from a shop next door, and within minutes, he wrapped Paige’s body in a black bin liner and placed it in the boot of his car. He then changed his trousers and purchased bleach, returning to his shop to continue operating until 3:15 pm that afternoon.

It is believed that Leathem initially moved Paige’s body from his vehicle to his garden shed, attempting to cover up the crime. The following day, he took his unsuspecting wife and young child on a family outing to Balmaha, located on the shores of Loch Lomond, before disposing of her body in a wooded area less than a mile from Clydebank, near Glasgow’s Great Western Road. On March 21, just two days after the murder, Leathem dumped Paige’s remains in the woods, where they were discovered by passers-by that morning. His actions did not end there; he also attempted to defeat the ends of justice by dumping her body and lying about his involvement.

Leathem was arrested three days after the murder, following police investigations that included analysis of CCTV footage and forensic evidence. Despite initially denying any connection to Paige’s death, he later admitted to the killing during police interviews. Bloodstains were found in multiple locations within his shop, home, and vehicle, despite his efforts to clean up. His defense argued that there was no clear motive or explanation for his actions, claiming that he had no history of anger or violence and that the murder was “inexplicable.” They suggested that a verbal exchange between Leathem and Paige, possibly involving her threatening to reveal he had touched her, may have provoked the attack, though the court found no evidence to support this.

During today’s sentencing at the High Court in Glasgow, Judge Lady Rae described Paige as a “defenceless child” who was subjected to a “savage and frenzied attack.” She condemned Leathem’s actions as “truly reprehensible” and expressed her disbelief that a man described as “happily married” could commit such a horrific act. The judge sentenced Leathem to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 27 years, noting that the sentence would have been 30 years had he not pleaded guilty. Additionally, Leathem received a six-year sentence for attempting to defeat the ends of justice, which will run concurrently with his life sentence.

As the verdict was announced, Paige’s family expressed their devastation and heartbreak. Her mother, Pamela Munro, was seen sobbing heavily as she was consoled by her husband, Andy. Outside the court, she paid tribute to her daughter, describing her as a “kind and selfless person” and expressing her hope that Paige would find peace in heaven. The community’s grief was palpable, with many residents and friends holding memorial events, including a gathering at Whitecrook Park where pink balloons were released in her memory. The iconic Titan Crane in Clydebank was lit up in pink as a symbol of remembrance and solidarity.

Paige’s tragic disappearance and murder prompted a massive police response, with forensic teams focusing their efforts on the last known location—the Clydebank shop where she was last seen. Her body was found in a wooded area near Great Western Road, and her death shocked the nation. Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also expressed her support for the family, sharing images with the hashtag PoutforPaige. The case has raised questions about Leathem’s background, as court proceedings revealed that he was considered an ordinary member of the community with no prior history of violence or offending. However, the defense argued that Leathem’s reaction was a “spontaneous, gross overreaction,” possibly linked to a family member’s past issues with sexual offenses. The court heard that Leathem’s actions were out of character, and the tragedy has left a permanent mark on all who knew Paige, with her family stating they will never recover from the loss of their beloved daughter.