Murder house will be demolished

Karen Dewar was murdered by her friend at the Tayport bungalow

The house where teenager Karen Dewar was murdered by her friend is to be knocked down.

Fife councillors unanimously voted to demolish the bungalow in Tay Street, Tayport, which was used by homeless people but has since been boarded up.

Colyn Evans, 18, was jailed for life after he admitted strangling the 16-year-old, attacking her with a knife and setting her body on fire in a bin.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that the house was left covered in blood.

The court was told how Evans attacked Karen with a bread knife in January 2005 when he "lost the plot" following an argument.

The most appropriate option for the future of the property is demolition, taking on board the events of January 2005, and the local community feeling Alan Davidson Fife Council

Police searching his home at 67 Tay Street found his victim's blood and hair on the walls and carpets.

Members of the East Fife area services committee were given the choice of demolishing the property or renting it out through a "sensitive allocation procedure".

A report by head of housing Alan Davidson recommended that the property should be demolished but pointed out that there was a high demand for rented accommodation in the town.

In the report, Mr Davidson said: "There are significant numbers of people waiting on vacancies in this area, with a very low turnover of properties.

"Despite the most recent history of this property, a careful trawl of the housing list would be made to ascertain if the house could be readily relet to a local applicant through a sensitive allocation procedure."

However, Mr Davidson added: "On balance, the most appropriate option for the future of the property is demolition, taking on board the events of January 2005, and the local community feeling.

"The potential relet of the property cannot be guaranteed to be successful."