Moira's parents thank fundraisers

The parents of Moira Jones receive a cheque from Strathclyde Police officers

The parents of murdered businesswoman Moira Jones have returned to Scotland to receive a cheque for the fund set up in her memory.

Hu and Bea Jones were back at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday where Slovak Marek Harcar was jailed for life for raping and killing their daughter.

They thanked officers from Strathclyde Police who helped raise more than £1,500 for the Moira Fund.

Ms Jones was killed in Queen Park in Glasgow in May 2008.

The Moira Fund provides respite facilities and specialist bereavement counselling for families who have lost a loved one through violence.

One security guard and 11 police officers, drawn in the main from High Court and Glasgow Sheriff Court, cycled from Edinburgh to Glasgow in July to raise cash for the charity.

Speaking at the handover of the cheque, Mrs Jones said: "It is very emotional for us, but we we determined to come and thank them for all their efforts.

Her husband Hu paid tribute to officers who helped his family during Harcar's trial.

Moira Jones was killed in Queen's Park in Glasgow in May 2008

"When we came for the trial just having you there when there was evil very close to us was comforting," he said.

"With you officers about we were able to cope with sitting near to that evil. Just by your presence you helped us."

Mr Jones said that through the fund the family hoped to "put Moira's death in a positive light, not a negative light".

The officers who raised the cash call themselves "Pigs on Bikes" - a light-hearted reference to their growing waistlines.

They organised the charity bike ride because they were moved by the Jones family's ordeal and the dignity which they displayed in court as they listened to the harrowing evidence.

Daily 'heartache'

Founder of Pigs on Bikes, Sgt David Callander, who is based mainly at the High Court, told Mr and Mrs Jones: "We deal in heartache in this building daily and we're usually pretty hardened to it.

"The Jones family managed to find a chink in our armour. We were delighted to raise money to allow them to help others."

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 was found guilty of raping and murdering Ms Jones just yards from her home on 28 May last year.

Following his trial at the High Court in Glasgow in April, he was jailed for life and told he must serve a minimum of 25 years before he could be considered for parole.