Man killed after prison release

James Taylor was released from Saughton Prison in Edinburgh on Friday

A murder inquiry has been launched by police in Motherwell after a man's badly beaten body was discovered in the town at the weekend.

James Taylor, 29, from Wester Hailes, Edinburgh, had only been released from Saughton Prison on Friday morning.

His body was found by two teenagers playing in a wooded area near Nethan Street at about 1650 BST on Sunday.

It is understood he had been brutally attacked with a variety of different weapons. His body was then burnt.

Detectives were keen to establish his last movements and have appealed for witnesses.

A post-mortem examination was carried out on Monday night.

Police said the two boys who discovered the body were being given counselling.

It is highly important that anyone who has been in contact with Mr Taylor since his release contacts us Det Ch Insp Jim King Strathclyde Police

Det Ch Insp Jim King, the officer in charge of the murder hunt, said: "Forensic experts have been carrying out a detailed examination at the scene since Mr Taylor's body was discovered.

"We are presently trying to establish his last movements and will be examining all available CCTV footage."

He added: "We are aware that Mr Taylor was released from Saughton Prison at 10am on Friday, 17 October, 2008, and it is highly important that anyone who has been in contact with him since his release contacts us."

Mr Taylor had served time in Saughton for property related crimes.

Officers are to interview 80 inmates at the Edinburgh prison as part of their investigation.

Police said they knew of no connection between Mr Taylor and the Motherwell area.

An incident caravan has been set up and the spot where the body was found remained cordoned off.