Man who killed pensioner may have threatened other people, police say

A killer who stabbed an elderly man in a Glasgow street after threatening two women may have had more victims, police said.

Published 30th Jun 2016

A killer who stabbed an elderly man in a Glasgow street after threatening two women may have had more victims, police said.

John Baker, 76, was murdered during an attempt to rob him in the city's Bridgeton area in the early hours of Wednesday.

The attack is being linked to two other incidents hours earlier when two women were threatened. Officers are now trying to trace a third woman who they believe was followed by the killer around the same time.

Members of the public went to the aid of Mr Baker, who lived locally, after he was stabbed in Abercromby Street at about 12.30am on Wednesday.

The pensioner was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary where he died.

At about 10.30pm the previous evening, a 25-year-old woman was threatened with a knife outside Glasgow Central Station.

The thief made off with her bag and was chased down Jamaica Street by two men but managed to get away.

The same man threatened a 53-year-old woman standing alone at a bus stop in the Trongate at around midnight. She managed to push him away and he ran off towards the Barras.

Detective Superintendent Duncan Sloan said: "This was a very distressing incident which has shocked the communities of Glasgow and we remain committed to finding who was responsible.

"During our enquiries over the last 24 hours, we understand that at around 11.55pm on Tuesday the suspect is believed to have been following a woman on Albion Street, onto Trongate, before the woman walked into the Boteco De Brasil bar.

"We are very keen to speak to this woman as she may have crucial information which may help with identifying the suspect.

"I would ask her to contact us as soon as she can, either on the incident room number 0141 532 6723 or via 101.

"Following our appeal yesterday, we haven't yet traced any other victims of this suspect, however, I would ask again that anyone who may have been approached by the suspect or threatened by him to contact police.''

The suspect is described as white, in his mid 20s, about 5ft 10ins with a medium build and has a scar on his face.

He was wearing dark trainers with white chunky sole, a baseball cap, a grey hooded top and dark jeans.

Officers are checking CCTV around all three attacks and police patrols have been stepped up in the area.