No trial for Emma murder accused

Emma Caldwell's body was discovered in woodland

The case against four men accused of murdering Glasgow woman Emma Caldwell in 2005 is not being brought to court, the Crown Office has confirmed.

The men, who are believed to be of Turkish origin, were arrested last autumn and later released on bail.

The Crown Office said there would be no further proceedings "in the meantime" - although it retained the right to proceed in the future.

It also confirmed the bail conditions imposed on the men had been cancelled.

These conditions included surrendering their passports and reporting to a police station on a daily basis.

Ms Caldwell's body was found in woods near Biggar, Lanarkshire, in May 2005.

The 27-year-old, who had been working as a prostitute, was last seen alive in the Govanhill area of Glasgow the previous month.

In a statement issued by the Crown Office, Ms Caldwell's parents said: "We have supported Strathclyde Police and the procurator fiscal service during the investigation into the death of our daughter for the past three years.

"We know that they have done everything possible to get justice for Emma.

Emma's family have been kept fully informed of developments in this case Crown Office statement

"We were recently informed by the Crown Office that a trial will not be proceeded with to court at this time and, despite our disappointment, while the possibility exists for a trial to take place at some point in the future, we will not comment further on the details of the case."

A statement from the Crown Office said: "On the basis of the evidence as it currently stands, there will be no further proceedings in the meantime but it is to be noted specifically that the Crown reserves the right to proceed in the future.

"Emma's family have been kept fully informed of developments in this case, and the Crown Office and procurator fiscal service is grateful for the dignity and understanding they have shown as they try to cope with their dreadful loss.

"Senior representatives of the Crown Office and procurator fiscal service met the family on 3 July and explained the position to them. We will continue to liaise with the family throughout this investigation.

"The investigation remains live and any additional evidence will be assessed by the procurator fiscal, and by Crown Counsel."