A Slovakian man has been jailed for life for the "vile and barbaric" rape and murder of a Glasgow businesswoman that "shocked the nation".

A jury at the city's High Court took just over an hour on Wednesday to unanimously convict Marek Harcar of robbing, raping and killing Moira Jones. The 33-year-old Harcar was ordered to spend a minimum of 25 years behind bars and faces deportation if released.

Outside the court Ms Jones's mother paid tribute to her "lovely, fun-loving, full-of-life Moira".

Harcar fled to his home country after Ms Jones's battered body was discovered in Queen's Park last May.

Forensic scientist Carol Weston told the trial it was "more than one in a billion" that the blood found on Harcar's leather jacket was not Ms Jones's and that semen found on her was not Harcar's. Harcar is pictured wearing the leather jacket in question following his arrest in Slovakia.

The man blamed three others for the murder - including serial sex offender Jason Mulheron - and claimed he was at home at the time. Harcar was also found guilty of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by fleeing to the country after the murder. (Mulheron was sentenced on Wednesday for a sex attack near Queen's Park)

The court was also told Harcar has 13 previous convictions in his homeland, four of which involved violence. He had only been in the city for ten days before the attack.

Moira's family were in court to see the jury return its verdict. As Harcar was led from the dock there were shouts of "beast" and "animal" from the public gallery.

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Moira Jones trial timeline

The life of Moira Jones was filled with love

Lord Bracadale, completing the four-week trial, told Harcar: "On the basis of overwhelming evidence the jury have found you guilty of abduction, assault, rape, robbery and murder.

"The death of Moira Jones, and the manner of it, was a devastating blow to her parents and family, caused great distress to her friends and colleagues, and shocked the nation.

"Your conduct that night reflects a level of wickedness very rarely encountered."

Harcar - who began smirking as the verdicts were announced - showed little emotion as he was led to the cells.

Detective Superintendent Derek Robertson, of Strathclyde Police, who led the investigation, said he hoped the convictions meant Ms Jones's family could begin to rebuild their lives. 

He said: "This has been a very harrowing time for Moira's parents, brother, partner and friends. Their presence in court must have been extremely difficult as they heard the evidence unfold."

The victim's mother spoke of the heartfelt loss the family has endured.

Flanked by her husband, son and Ms Jones's boyfriend, Beatrice Jones said of her daughter: "We will never know the extent of the pain, the torture, the mental anguish she endured. We do know if she could think at all she would think of us, whom she cherished most.

In a voice breaking with emotion, she added: "How could Moira - our lovely fun-loving  full-of-life Moira - be a body in a park. We were totally stunned and everything was surreal. Our hearts have been gouged out.

"Our precious girl had her life stolen from her in the most depraved way by an evil, depraved monster."

She said: "Moira, darling, darling Moira, we were so proud of you. We will always be so proud of you and we will do the best we can with our lives to make us worthy of you.

"You will live with us forever."