Jump directly to the content

THE man who killed Scots schoolgirl Paige Doherty in a frenzied knife attack was nailed as her killer thanks to a catalogue of damning CCTV images.

John Leathem was caged for at least 27 years this morning after being caught on camera dumping the 15-year-old's body and trying to cover up the crime scene.

 Paige's killer John Leathem initially denied seeing her that day but she was caught on CCTV going to his shop
16
Paige's killer John Leathem initially denied seeing her that day but she was caught on CCTV going to his shopCredit: PA:Press Association

The monster, 32, initially denied knowing Paige - even telling police he was positive they wouldn't find any of her blood in his sandwich shop days after brutally murdering her in a ten-minute bloodbath.

The killer's frenzied knife attack in Delicious Deli in Clydebank left the schoolgirl with 146 knife wounds after being stabbed 61 times. She also suffered 43 blows to her head and neck, some of which were "fatal lacerations".

Her battered body was found two days later in a wooded area in Glasgow in a sickening crime which shocked Scotland.

The cop who led the hunt for her murderer said the monster was damned by catalogue of evidence which was all caught on camera.

He revealed: “I am sure the weight of this evidence led to Leathem’s guilty plea.”

Leathem was also handed a six-year term for attempting to defeat the ends of justice. It will run concurrently with his life sentence.

He originally denied knowing the teen when contacted by one of his staff on behalf of Paige's worried mum.

But he later revealed she had been in the deli to buy a roll that morning.

After her body was found he was quizzed by police about her murder.

Investigations had found she had gone into his deli "but had not walked away", which led to his shop, home and car being searched.

 John Leathem's Delicious Deli in Clydebank, where Paige was brutally murdered
16
John Leathem's Delicious Deli in Clydebank, where Paige was brutally murderedCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

But he still denied having anything to do with the killing - telling detectives he was "positive" they wouldn't find Paige's blood in his shop.

But blood was said to have been found in "numerous locations" despite "obvious efforts to clean up."

The killer was snared thanks to CCTV footage, which showed Paige entering the deli but not coming back out. Ten minutes later, Leathem was caught on camera putting her body in the boot of his car - CCTV shows her foot with a white sock on sticking out from the bin bag he wrapped her in.

Here we show you the exact CCTV footage that helped police catch Leathem.

March 19: 7:17am

 John Leathem enters Delicious Deli and opens up for the day
16
John Leathem enters Delicious Deli and opens up for the dayCredit: Crown Office

8:21am

 Paige is caught on CCTV walking to deli where she was butchered
16
 Paige is caught on CCTV walking to deli where she was butcheredCredit: Crown Office

9:58am

 After killing Paige, Leathem runs to nearby shop for cleaning materials (Leathem is the man in white t-shirt and black jeans in middle of three men in left of CCTV footage)
16
After killing Paige, Leathem runs to nearby shop for cleaning materials (Leathem is the man in white t-shirt and black jeans in middle of three men in left of CCTV footage)Credit: Crown Office

10:03am

 He walks to car and opens boot before dumping girl's body inside
16
He walks to car and opens boot before dumping girl's body insideCredit: Crown Office

11:59am

 Leathem drives off in his motor before stashing corpse in shed
16
Leathem drives off in his motor before stashing corpse in shedCredit: Crown Office

6:04pm

 Evil killer serves customers until 3:15pm then later returns to his deli
16
Evil killer serves customers until 3:15pm then later returns to his deliCredit: Crown Office

6:13pm

 Leathem is seen on CCTV tidying up and carrying plastic bag
16
Leathem is seen on CCTV tidying up and carrying plastic bagCredit: Crown Office

March 20

 Fiend takes wife and baby on day trip to Balmaha
16
Fiend takes wife and baby on day trip to BalmahaCredit: Alamy

March 21: 6:00am

 Leathem's car is spotted near site where Paige's body was found
16
Leathem's car is spotted near site where Paige's body was foundCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

March 21: 12:00pm

 Discovery of Paige's body sparks murder enquiry
16
Discovery of Paige's body sparks murder enquiryCredit: PA:Press Association

March 24

 John Leathem is arrested on suspicion of murdering Paige
16
John Leathem is arrested on suspicion of murdering PaigeCredit: PA:Press Association

April 20

 Paige's coffin is transported by horse-drawn carriage following her funeral at St Margaret's Church in Clydebank
16
Paige's coffin is transported by horse-drawn carriage following her funeral at St Margaret's Church in ClydebankCredit: PA:Press Association

September 5

 John Leathem pleads guilty to Paige's murder at the High Court in Glasgow at a hearing attended by Paige's family and friends
16
John Leathem pleads guilty to Paige's murder at the High Court in Glasgow at a hearing attended by Paige's family and friendsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

October 12

 John Leathem is sentenced to life in prison for a minimum of 27 years. Paige's mum Pamela
16
John Leathem is sentenced to life in prison for a minimum of 27 years. Paige's mum Pamela Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd


We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368


 

Topics