A MOTORIST who narrowly avoided hitting a killer could hold the key to solving a murder in Glasgow, police have said.

Moments after a woman was murdered in a quiet cul-de-sac neighbours heard a "screech of tyres and blast of a horn" because of the near-accident.

And almost three hours before Isabelle Sanders died and her partner Norman Busby was attacked, the killer stabbed a driver in an attempted carjacking.

Detectives are now appealing for the car driver to come forward after revealing the killer - who stabbed Ms Sanders, 51, and Mr Busby, 85, in a botched robbery - was almost knocked down as he made his getaway in nearby Crookston Road.

Officers from the major ­investigations team have ­identified a suspect, but refused to reveal his identity.

Detective Superintendent Jim Kerr said: "We easily could have been dealing with a double murder here."

It comes as police revealed the culprit stabbed a 33-year-old motorist in the leg during an attempted carjacking almost three hours before Ms Sanders was killed in Raeswood Drive, Crookston.

That incident took place outside a Spar shop in ­Barrhead Road, around 700 yards from Raeswood Drive, at 11.15pm on Tuesday.

Shop manager Asif Sharif told how the BMW driver escaped the clutches of a killer outside his store.

He said: "The man had been stabbed in the leg and came back into the shop for help. On the CCTV footage, you could see him running back in from the car, it must have been the adrenaline.

"My staff helped him and phoned an ambulance. We are still trying to come to terms with it all."

The attacker dropped the keys and did not take the BMW.

Police said the driver was ­recovering at home.

Ms Sanders and Mr Busby were attacked in their home after disturbing the intruder early on Wednesday.

The 51-year-old died at the scene, and her partner is recovering in hospital from stab wounds.

Forensic officers were yesterday searching drains in Raeswood Drive as detectives tried to piece together the killer's movements in the hours between the incidents.

Detective Superintendent Kerr added: "Please do not assume that we already know what you know, or that someone else has come forward with the information you have.

"As a result of the support from the public and information passed, I would like to reassure the community that we are following a definite line of inquiry in relation to the murder of Isabelle Sanders and the attempted murder of Norman Busby. I am appealing for the drivers of particular vehicles to come forward.

"Firstly, the driver of a private hire taxi which was in Raeswood Drive at the time of incident.

"Secondly, I would like to speak to any drivers who were on Crookston Road around 1.50am on Wednesday to come forward, particularly if you saw a man running across the road."

Police also revealed items had been stolen from Ms Sanders and Mr Busby's home, but could not give details.

Anyone with information is asked call Police Scotland on 101.