Iain Packer sentenced to at least 36 years in jail for murder of Emma Caldwell
The 27-year-old was found dead in a wooded area of South Lanarkshire, one month after going missing in 2005
Last updated 28th Feb 2024
A jury at the High Court in Glasgow has found Iain Packer guilty of murdering 27-year-old Emma Caldwell in 2005.
The 51-year-old was handed life imprisonment and will spend at least 36 years behind bars.
Packer also was convicted of 11 charges of rape against nine women among dozens of other offences following a six-week trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
He admitted lying to police and to a BBC journalist who investigated him - sparking a series of disclosures from other victims who had previously been too ashamed to speak to police.
Miss Caldwell went missing in Glasgow on April 4 2005, and her body was found in Limefield Woods, near Biggar, South Lanarkshire, the following month.
Packer faced a total of 36 charges involving offences against multiple women, all of which he denied.
Prosecutor Richard Goddard KC said earlier in the trial that there was "little dispute" that Miss Caldwell had been murdered, and that Packer had gone out with the "purpose" of using Miss Caldwell's services as a sex worker.
Jurors also heard Packer was an "obsessive" and "violent" user of prostitutes and had an "unhealthy addiction" to their services, with a particular obsession with Miss Caldwell.
'There will be no punching the air, or opening champagne'
Emma's mum Margaret has been fighting for answers about what happened to her daughter for nearly two decades.
She said: "I feel relieved, not overjoyed or elated. There will be no punching the air or opening champagne.
"I just feel relieved that it's over with after all this time."
She also told Clyde 1 News giving her evidence was painful: "I was very nervous about that, but I got through it alright.
"Listening to the trial was very difficult because you have to listen to things you don't want to listen to, and would rather wasn't said.
"I want to spend time with my grandchildren, they're so important and they mean everything in this world to me.
"Going forward, I'm very disappointed in how the police handled this case and I would like a full inquiry."
'My stomach is turning and I'm shaking'
One of his rape victims is telling Clyde 1 News she has been getting horrendous flashbacks over the last few weeks.
The woman, who will remain anonymous, said: "I wanted to jump that counter.
"Obviously I know I can't do that and I need to behave but my stomach is turning and I'm shaking.
"We're all shaking, our legs have just gone and it's not good.
"He's just sitting there drinking water like he's done nothing."
Police evidence
Police Scotland has released images of Iain Packer's van, which contained soil that matched the wooded area where Miss Caldwell's body was discovered.
Police Scotland apologise
Assistant Chief Constable for Major Crime and Public Protection Bex Smith said: “Emma Caldwell, her family and many other victims, were let down by policing in 2005. For that we are sorry.
“A significant number of women and girls who showed remarkable courage to speak up at that time also did not get the justice and support they needed and deserved from Strathclyde Police.
“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 enquiry 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."
'Largest police enquiry of recent times'
She added: "It is the courage, resilience and determination shown by Emma’s family, in particular her parents William and Margaret, and all those who survived Iain Packer’s horrific catalogue of offending that got us to where we are today.
“William is, sadly, no longer here to see this day, but I hope this verdict gives Margaret and all those affected by this case, the justice they deserve.
“This was an extremely challenging re-investigation and without doubt the largest police enquiry of recent times in Scotland.
“Over seven years, a full review of the original enquiry by Strathclyde Police in 2005 was completed.
“More than 30,000 documents and statements were gathered and reviewed along with in excess of 23,000 productions. New forensic tests were carried out and new witnesses were identified and interviewed, leading to the convictions today.
'Time is no barrier to justice'
“Iain Packer was a calculating sexual predator who targeted women over many years. It is hard to comprehend how anyone could carry out such despicable, ruthless acts.
“He took Emma’s life for his own gratification in the most appalling circumstances and cruelly left her body in remote woods hoping to cover his tracks.
“But time is no barrier to justice and I would urge anyone who has been the victim of sexual violence to please come forward and speak to us.
“You will be listened to and you will be supported – no matter when the offences took place."