Man charged in connection with death of Shona Stevens in 1994

A 67-year-old man has been charged following the death of a mother more than 30 years ago, Police Scotland has confirmed.

Shona Stevens, 31, was discovered badly injured on a path in woodland near her home in Irvine, North Ayrshire, on November 10 1994.

She later died in hospital.

On Friday, Police Scotland announced that a 67-year-old had been arrested – with an update on Saturday revealing the man has now been charged.

It comes more than three decades after Ms Stevens was found injured on a footpath near to the rear of Alder Green in the Bourtreehill Park area of Irvine.

Senior investigation officer Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Gillies said: “I would like to thank the members of the local community who assisted us in our inquiries.

“I am grateful for their information and input which greatly contributed to our investigation.”

The man is now expected to appear at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Monday, July 28.

Three decades unsolved

Detectives previously revealed key evidence found at the scene including a novelty keyring featuring a cartoon figure of a man wearing a red waist coat, blue tie and no trousers.

Investigators said they believed the “distinctive” key ring belonged to the killer.

In a joint statement on the 30th anniversary of the murder, Shona’s mother Mhairi Smith and her daughter Candice Stevens, who was just seven when her mum was killed, said: “We still want justice for Shona, and your help would be greatly appreciated.

“We know it has been 30 years since Shona was taken from us but to us it seems like only yesterday. There is not a day that goes by that she is not in our thoughts and in our hearts.

“If you remember noticing or seeing anything suspicious or out of the ordinary, no matter how small, please let the police know.”