Detectives warn women joggers: Don't wear your iPods

Jun 8 2008 By Norman Silvester

FEMALE joggers were yesterday warned to leave their iPods at home to protect themselves.

Asenior policeman issued the alert as the brutal killer of sales executive Moira Jones remained at large.

Moira, 40, was sexually assaulted and beaten to death in Queen's Park, near her home on the south side of Glasgow.

Detective Superintendent Colin Field stressed yesterday it was important to be alert to anyone approaching.

IPods and other MP3 players are popular with joggers but could prevent them hearing someone coming up behind them.

Field said: "If you're running with headphones then that's perhaps not the best idea if you want to see and hear what's going on around about you."

Police have swamped the area with officers to stem the fears of women living nearby following the discovery of Moira's body 10 days ago.

Police cadets and special constables have joined specialist officers who have come to work on their days off in the bid to catch the killer.

Meanwhile, it was revealed that more than 100 sex offenders who lived near Moira have already been questioned.

Police sources have revealed a higher than usual number of offenders live in the area, partly because of the presence of two hostels.

The Queen's Park Hotel and the now closed Parkview hostel provided accomodation for former prisoners and residents and were blamed by neighbours for a rise in crime in the neighbourhood.

A police spokeswoman said: "Registered sex offenders in the area have been questioned.

"It is one of a number of areas of inquiry being pursued including violence and theft."

A source said: "There is a higher than usual concentration of sex offenders and others with criminal records because of the hostels. Officers have already spoken to more than 100." Among those questioned was notorious sex offender Calum McLeod, a serial rapist who began his crimes when he was only 14.

McLeod, now 27, who was released three years ago after 10 years in jail, was quizzed by murder squad detectives within hours of Moira's body being discovered.

But his family said yesterday McLeod, whose attacks were carried out near Queen's Park, had an alibi and has been cleared by police. The murder team also plan to interview former residents of the Parkview.

Officers say Moira struggled with her attacker outside her flat in Queens Drive, overlooking the park, backing up the theory that she was snatched and dragged into the park.

A piece of her handbag and personal possessions were found on grass near where she parked her Toyota Rav4.

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