Hundreds in DNA test as cops hunt park killer

Jun 1 2008 Exclusive by Norman Silvester And Kevin Turner

EVERY man living in the same street as murdered businesswoman Moira Jones will be DNA tested, we can reveal.

Detectives have already swabbed her friend and neighbour Richard Rutherford and told him they will extend their search to the whole of Queens Drive, Glasgow.

And they could throw the net even wider to include hundreds of people around Queen's Park where the 40-year-old's seminaked body was found in woodland near an old bandstand on Thursday morning.

The Sunday Mail can also reveal:

Detectives were probing a break-in attempt at a flat NEXT to Moira's when she was killed.

The Britvic sales consultant was hounded by thugs outside her home.

Queen's Park could be closed for months as forensic experts comb it for clues.

Dental technician Richard Rutherford, who lived in the same block as Moira, revealed he gave a voluntary DNA sample to detectives on Friday.

Moira's body was found by a park ranger at around 9.45am on Thursday and may have been there since the night before.

Richard, 46, said: "They told me they planned to DNA test every male in the street, which suggests to me that they have found something at the scene.

"I was more than happy to give a DNA test to help police eliminate me from the inquiry and I hope other men in the area come forward and do the same thing.

"There should be a national DNA database so that police can easily check who may or may not be a suspect.

"The police also told me they would be extending the DNA testing throughout the area of Queen's Park and possibly beyond."

Richard revealed Moira and other residents at No.80 had been threatened by people who used homeless hostel the Parkview Hotel at 72 Queens Drive.

Richard said: "They would come out of the hotel and sit on the steps leading up to her flat.

"They would urinate in the street, scratch the cars and verbally abuse and spit at people living in our block and nearby.

"On several occasions, Moira was subjected to verbal abuse. On some occasions when she walked past them, they would boo her because they believed she had reported them to the police.

"We regularly had to call the police to get them arrested or moved on because of their disgusting antisocial behaviour.

"Thankfully, the hostel is now closed and all the problems we were experiencing seem to have died down.

"Moira had lived here for five years and we got on very well, though I didn't know a lot about her life. She had an Italian boyfriend, who lives in the east end of the city, and she spent most weekends with him.

"I'm very surprised she was in the park that night because she was not the jogging or walking type and preferred to keep fit in the gym."

Richard revealed this is the second time in two years that a close friend of his has been murdered.

While living in Aberdeen, pal Grant Williamson was murdered and his killer Deryck Kerr given a 15-year jail sentence.

Speaking about Moira, he added: "We'd been getting closer and a lot friendlier and she had offered to help me with some computer problems I was having.

"I was hoping she would become a close friend and I am absolutely shocked and devastated by what has happened.

"She had been working a lot at home, particularly late at night, and it is possible she may have gone into the park to clear her head as the main entrance is only a 30-yard walk from the flats.

"Moira was only 5ft 1in or 5ft 2in and she was also very fit. She was a very attractive woman and did not look 40."

Another neighbour, civil servant Emma Webster, 26, said: "Moira was such a lovely person and we're absolutely shocked. We have been told it was a particularly brutal murder and it makes you fear for your own safety.

"Moira was the last person you would expect this sort of thing to happen to."

Yesterday floral tributes were placed at the gates of the park.

One said simply: "Friends like you don't come along often. So glad to have known you. Miss you always, love Dianne."

Police are investigating an attempted break-in to one of the flats at 80 Queens Drive around the time Moira was attacked.

A neighbour reported the incident at his flat, which is across the landing from Moira's, in the past 48 hours.

Strathclyde Police confirmed they were investigating the break-in attempt but would not comment on a link to the murder.

A spokeswoman said: "We are exploring every avenue in this inquiry"

Moira moved to Glasgow five years ago from England. She worked for the Britvic soft drinks firm in Uddingston, Lanarkshire.

A spokeswoman said: "We would like to express our deepest sympathies to Moira's family but will not comment further in light of the ongoing investigation."

The man leading the hunt for her killer, Detective Chief Inspector Derek Robinson, said: "We will be using every forensic tool available to us, including archaeologists, pathologists and entomologists to enable us to get all the evidence we need.

"We have had a very positive response from the public to our appeals.

"We would ask anyone with any suspicions about someone they know to contact any of the officers who are posted round the park at the present moment.

"The park will remain closed for as long as is necessary, which could be weeks and even months. No stone will be left unturned."

DCI Robertson added: "Moira was a respectable businesswoman and her employers described her work as impeccable.

"We are trying to establish a motive for this crime and where she was in the hours prior to her body being discovered.

"All her associates, business contacts, friends and relatives will be interviewed to help us build up a picture of her daily routine and last movements."

Moira is believed to have been together with her boyfriend for several years.

Detectives have not ruled out a sexual motive and have confirmed some of her clothes were removed.

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