Man arrested in connection with Emma Caldwell's murder now charged

A suspect arrested in connection with the murder of Emma Caldwell has now been charged.

Ms Caldwell had been a sex worker in Glasgow when she disappeared in April 2005.

The 27-year-old’s body was discovered several weeks later in woods near Biggar, South Lanarkshire.

The unsolved case was reopened in 2015 following consideration by senior lawyers in the Crown Office and tireless campaigning by her mother, Margaret Caldwell.

On Thursday, Police Scotland confirmed a 49-year-old man had been arrested in connection with Ms Caldwell’s death.

On Friday, the force said he had now been charged and is due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday.

A spokesperson said: “Police Scotland can confirm that the 49-year-old man who was arrested in the Glasgow area on Thursday, February 24, 2022, has now been charged in connection with the death of Emma Caldwell.

“The man remains in custody and is due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Monday, February 28, 2022.”

Announcing the arrest on Thursday, detective superintendent Graeme Mackie, the senior investigating officer, described the investigation as “complex and challenging”.

He stated: “Emma’s family, in particular her mother Margaret, have shown incredible resilience and determination since her death in 2005 and I would like to pay tribute to that today.”

DS Mackie added: “The investigation into Emma’s death continues and I would urge anyone with information, no matter how small or insignificant they might think it is, to please come forward and speak to us.”

Ms Caldwell was last seen between 12.30am and 1.30am on April 5, 2005, on London Road, Glasgow.

She was reported missing by her family on April 10, and her body was discovered in woods at Roberton, near Biggar, South Lanarkshire, on May 8, 2005.

Last summer, Ms Caldwell’s mum met with Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain QC.

Following the “very detailed” talks, Ms Bain was said to have accepted that mistakes were made in investigations into Ms Caldwell’s death.

Following the meeting, Mrs Caldwell said she had “renewed hope” for justice.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday afternoon, Aamer Anwar, Mrs Caldwell’s solicitor, said: “Margaret and her family are truly grateful to the detectives at Police Scotland and the Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain’s team who have worked tirelessly in reinvestigating the murder of Emma since we met with the then lord advocate in 2015.

“I also wish to pay tribute to Margaret Caldwell, a mother who through the love of a child, has never given up in her struggle for justice.

“The investigation into Emma’s death continues, and her family would urge anyone with information, no matter how insignificant they might think it is, to please come forward and to speak to Police Scotland.”

Mr Anwar stated that as legal proceedings are live, it would be “inappropriate” to comment further and that “nothing should be done to interfere with the administration of justice”.