Teen butchered after Christmas works night out

IT is difficult to recall a murder more savage and sadistic than that of 18-year-old supermarket worker Barry Wallace

- BY NORMAN SILVESTER

Even now, more than 25 years later, the horrifying details still have the power to shock.

Beggs handcuffed Barry Wallace's hands and legs in his Kilmarnock flat before sexually assaulting him. Beggs killed and dismembered Barry in his flat.

He then disposed of the arms, legs and torso in Loch Lomond.

The head later washed up on Barassie beach in Ayrshire.

Beggs went on the run and was eventually arrested in Amsterdam. After a year of legal wrangling he was extradited back to Scotland where, in September 2001, he stood trial at the High Court in Edinburgh and was found guilty of murder.

Beggs was given a life sentence and told he must serve at least 20 years before he could be considered for parole.

That term was backdated to the time of his arrest in 1999, which means he has been eligible for parole for the last seven years. However, at present there are no signs of him being released any time soon.

That raises the issue of whether Beggs, who is originally from Moira, near Lisburn in Northern Ireland, will, or should ever, be released.