Man found guilty of Moira murder

Blood stains on Harcar's leather jacket matched Ms Jones' DNA 'Terrible evil' in dear green place Family left with 'weeping wounds' Moira Jones murder investigation

A 33-year-old man has been jailed for at least 25 years after being found guilty of raping and murdering Moira Jones in a Glasgow park.

Slovakian Marek Harcar abducted the 40-year-old businesswoman just yards from her home on 28 May last year. Her body was found in Queen's Park the next day.

Judge Lord Bracadale said his conduct reflected "a level of wickedness very rarely encountered".

Ms Jones's mother described Harcar as an "evil, depraved monster".

He was jailed for life and told he must serve a minimum of 25 years before he could be considered for parole.

The jury of nine men and six women also found him guilty of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by fleeing to Eastern Europe.

He had denied all the charges during a 19-day trial which took place at the High Court in Glasgow.

Mother pays tribute to 'precious' Moira

Speaking outside the court after the verdict, Ms Jones's mother, Bea Jones, said: "Our precious girl had her life stolen from her in the most depraved way by an evil, depraved monster.

"She was robbed of everything she had to look forward to for herself and for others. We have been deprived of sharing her life."

Sentencing Harcar, Lord Bracadale told him his crime had "shocked the nation".

He said: "Moira Jones was a hard-working woman who, after a day of meetings and some socialising, made her way home after 11pm.

"Near home she encountered you and her fate was sealed.

"You had consumed a large amount of alcohol and declared your intention to seek a woman. You abducted Moira Jones and took her into Queen's Park."

CCTV shows 'drunk' killer

He added: "There, in a most disturbing way, you held her captive in a holly bush before taking her further into the park where you inflicted extensive injuries to her head and neck, raped and murdered her, leaving her half-naked body lying in the bushes.

"Your conduct that night reflects a level of wickedness very rarely encountered."

The judge recommended that Harcar be deported after his release.

The court was told Harcar had 13 previous criminal convictions, four of which involved violence.

The jury heard that on the night she died Ms Jones, who was originally from Staffordshire, had been out with her boyfriend.

It is thought she later returned to the Queen's Park area and parked her car just 100 yards from her flat.

CCTV footage played in court appeared to show two figures, one "leading" the other, heading towards the park.

The court heard that Harcar had moved to the south side of Glasgow from Liverpool just 10 days before the murder.

On the night Ms Jones was attacked he had been drinking heavily and told his flatmate he was going "looking for a woman".

The body of Moira Jones was found in Queen's Park in May 2008

Ms Jones's body was discovered the following morning by a park ranger. She had been punched, kicked and stamped upon, pinned against the ground and raped.

The trial heard that days after the murder Harcar flew to the Czech Republic and then to Slovakia.

He was detained by Slovakian police on 18 June and later extradited to Scotland.

The court heard the blood-stains on a black leather jacket Harcar was wearing when he was arrested matched Ms Jones's DNA profile.

Semen matching Harcar's profile was also found on the businesswoman's body.

Harcar had denied raping and murdering Ms Jones.

His defence counsel, Paul McBride QC, had tried to convince the jury that another man, convicted sex offender Jason Mulheron, had killed Ms Jones.

SENTENCING STATEMENT Read the judge's comments (64KB) Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here

Det Supt Derek Robertson, who led the murder investigation, said: "This has been a very harrowing time for Moira's parents, brother, partner and friends and their presence in court must have been extremely difficult as they heard the evidence unfold.

"I would like to commend the courage shown by her family and friends who remained fully supportive of the police throughout the investigation.

"As a crucial part of the investigation Queen's Park was closed for a number of weeks which no doubt inconvenienced the local community."

He added: "The rape and murder of a young woman in a public park obviously caused a great deal of fear and concern for the local residents, in particular women who frequented the area.

"The local community and public in general have to be thanked for their co-operation, understanding and continual support, all of which greatly assisted the investigation.

"Finally, with the conviction of Marek Harcar, I hope that Moira's family can now move some way to rebuilding their lives."