Man accused of murdering woman in flat 36 years ago

A man is to stand trial accused of sexually assaulting and murdering a woman 36 years ago.

Graham McGill, 59, is charged with killing Mary McLaughlin at her flat in Crathie Court on Laurel Street, Partick in Glasgow on September 26 or 27, 1984.

Prosecutors claim McGill took off the 58 year-old’s clothes and then placed a ligature around her neck.

The charge alleges he did tighten it restricting Mary’s breathing.

It is said McGill – who would have been 22 at the time – did this with intent to rape and murdered the mum, who also used the name Murphy.

McGill faces a separate charge of stealing a set of keys from the flat. He is then accused of a third allegation against a woman at a house in Motherwell, Lanarkshire between January 1, 1985 and December 31, 1988.

The indictment states McGill threatened to murder the mum and her children. McGill appeared in the dock for a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday.

His lawyer Sarah Livingstone pled not guilty on his behalf. Prosecutor Alex Prentice QC told the hearing: “There has been a lot of work going on in the background and we are in a position to fix a trial in this case.

“A space has become available at short notice.”

Lady Stacey set a trial due to begin next month. The case could last up to seven days.