New police plea over 1980s murder

Sheila Anderson was discovered with crush injuries and later died

Detectives investigating the murder of a sex worker 25 years ago said forensic science could help trace her killer.

Lothian and Borders Police launched a fresh appeal for witnesses to help solve the murder of Sheila Anderson.

The 27-year-old was found with crush injuries in Granton, Edinburgh, on 7 April 1983. She died from her injuries.

The force has indicated that modern techniques would be applied to all evidence - including tiny flecks of paint discovered on her clothing.

Det Insp Steven Reed said: "In this tragic case we believe advances in forensic science may help us resolve some of the unanswered questions.

Minute particles of paint were found on Sheila's clothing Det Insp Steven Reed

"This was an apparently motiveless killing and I am appealing to anyone who has information about the circumstances of Sheila's death to come forward. It was 25 years ago and I appreciate that memories might have faded".

He said people who might have felt reluctant to come forward at the time will hopefully now be willing to talk.

"Minute particles of paint were found on Sheila's clothing and efforts were made to trace vehicles, witnesses and people who may have been with her in the hours before her death".

Inquiries at the time revealed the victim left her home in the Drylaw area of the city around noon. There were various sightings of her during the day in west Granton and Leith.

The final confirmed sighting was in Commercial Street around 2330 BST.

Her handbag was found near a car park at Longniddry Bents, East Lothian, on Sunday 10 April, 1983.