The body of Paige Doherty, 15, was found in Clydebank in March (PA/Police Scotland)
A shop owner murdered a teenager in a “frenzied” knife attack after she went to buy a breakfast roll on her way to her hairdressing job.
John Leathem inflicted more than 140 stab wounds and cuts on 15-year-old Paige Doherty in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, on March 19.
At the High Court in Glasgow, Leathem, 32, admitted murdering Paige in the back office at Delicious Deli in the town’s Fleming Avenue before dumping her body in nearby woodland.
He grabbed a knife and stabbed the teenager during a brief discussion about a job at the shop, when he claims Paige told him “I’ll just say you touched me“ if she was not offered the role, according to his defence counsel.
Family and friends of the schoolgirl gasped and stifled cries as CCTV footage was shown to the court of Leathem carrying her body in a bin liner to the boot of his car after murdering her within 10 minutes of her entering the shop that Saturday morning.
Judge Lady Rae told the married father of two, a first offender: “This was a savage, frenzied attack on a child.”
Shop owner launched frenzied knife attack as girl, 15, went to buy a breakfast roll
