CCTV 'vital' in catching killer of Kirkintilloch hairdresser, say police

The 15-year-old’s body was found in a wooded area just off Great Western Road on Monday 21 March. She had been stabbed more than 60 times.

Paige was last seen alive two days earlier near Delicious Deli in Clydebank. The schoolgirl had been on her way to her Saturday job at Street Images in Kirkintilloch.

At the High Court in Glasgow on Monday, September 5, deli owner John Leathem admitted murdering Paige. He will be sentenced next month.

The court was shown CCTV footage of Leathem in the aftermath of the murder, running in and out of neighbouring shops.

He is also seen carrying a bin bag and stowing it in the boot of his car.

The court heard that after brutally murdering the schoolgirl, Leathem took his wife and baby daughter on an outing to Balmaha.

He also continued to serve customers at the deli in the days before his arrest.

CCTV evidence

Det Supt Duncan Sloan, who led the inquiry, said CCTV footage had been “vital” in catching Leathem.

“Officers painstakingly reviewed hours of footage which ultimately revealed that Paige walked into that shop but didn’t leave,” he said.

“This, coupled with extensive forensic examinations of the crime scenes helped to establish what happened to Paige and who was responsible.

“I am sure that the sheer weight of this evidence has led to the guilty plea at court today.”

The detective added: “Our thoughts remain with Paige’s family, whose vibrant, bright young daughter has been cruelly taken away from them at just 15 years of age.

“Paige’s whole future lay ahead of her and her life has been brutally cut short by the vicious actions of one man.”