Iain Packer to appeal conviction for killing Emma Caldwell
Iain Packer is serving at least 36 years in prison for the murder in 2005
The man convicted of murdering Emma Caldwell in 2005, and attacks against 22 other woman, is to appeal against both his conviction and the length of his sentence.
Iain Packer was given a life sentence, with a minimum jail term of 36 years, exactly a week ago.
Packer was also convicted of 11 rapes and 21 further charges including sexual assaults and abduction, involving multiple women, over 26 years.
Emma Caldwell’s death in April 2005 was one of Scotland’s longest running unsolved murders.
Ms Caldwell was reported missing by her family and her body was found the following month in Limefield Woods, near Roberton, South Lanarkshire.
In 2015, a Sunday Mail newspaper story branded Packer "the forgotten suspect" and Police Scotland launched a re-investigation of the case that year following instruction from the Lord Advocate.
Police Scotland has apologised to the family of Miss Caldwell and Packer's other victims, admitting they were "let down" by policing.
Family meet First Minister
News of the appeal comes on the day Emma’s mother, and other members of the family, meet Scotland’s Chief Constable, Jo Farrell, as they continue to press for an inquiry into the way the murder was investigated.
Yesterday Margaret Caldwell and their lawyer, Aamer Anwar, met First Minister Humza Yousaf at Bute House.
On Thursday morning, they will meet with Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain.
The Crown Office said that following a full independent investigation, Crown Counsel concluded that there was "insufficient evidence of criminality on the part of any police officer involved in the investigation of Emma Caldwell's murder".
However, the Crown reserved the right to proceed in the future should further evidence become available, as in all cases.
First Minister Humza Yousaf has said a public inquiry into the investigation of Packer is "not off the table".
Mrs Caldwell welcomed the possibility of a public inquiry but said there can be no more delay.
Crown Office response
A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: "This week, the Lord Advocate will meet with Emma's family and their solicitor to answer questions about the investigation and criminal proceedings.
"We feel that to respect this meeting it would not be appropriate to comment publicly on matters which should be discussed first with Emma's family.
"However, we can confirm a previous statement that, following a full independent investigation, Crown Counsel concluded that there was insufficient evidence of criminality on the part of any police officer involved in the investigation of Emma Caldwell's murder.
"As in all cases, the Crown reserved the right to proceed in the future should further evidence become available."
Police apology
Following Packer's conviction on Wednesday, Assistant Chief Constable for major crime and public protection Bex Smith said: "Police Scotland launched a re-investigation of the case in 2015 after instruction from the Lord Advocate.
"It is clear that further investigations should have been carried out into Emma's murder following the initial inquiry in 2005.
"The lack of investigation until 2015 caused unnecessary distress to her family and all those women who had come forward to report sexual violence."
Police said that, over seven years, a full review of the original inquiry by Strathclyde Police in 2005 was completed.
A spokesperson said: "As part of the re-investigation, a report was also sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in relation to the Strathclyde Police investigation."
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