POLICE are to reinvestigate the "appalling murder" of a teenage drama student 20 years ago.
The body of Amanda Duffy was found in waste ground in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, in 1992. The 19-year-old had been battered to death, and her nose and jaw smashed.
Francis Auld stood trial for her murder but the jury returned a not-proven verdict.
The new investigation comes after the scrapping of the double jeopardy rule, which prevented an accused from being prosecuted for a crime of which he or she was earlier acquitted.
Prosecutors are also reviewing other cases which could be prosecuted under the Double Jeopardy Act.
The Crown Office set up a new unit last year to tackle unsolved murders and serious crimes. The unresolved homicide database contains 93 unsolved cases dating back to 1942, including the murder of teenager Elaine Doyle in 1986.
Strathclyde Police has set up an incident room at Larkhall police office and urged anyone with information on the case to get in touch.
Detective Superintendent Alan Buchanan said: "It is now 20 years since the appalling murder of Amanda and every day her family have to live with the knowledge that the person responsible for the murder of their daughter has never been brought to justice.
"I believe that certain people have information in relation to Amanda's murder that they are withholding, perhaps from a sense of misguided loyalty, and may be reluctant to come forward with that information.
"I now need those people to look at their consciences and think of Amanda's family and friends, who have been through the worst experience imaginable in losing a loved one in the most horrific way."
Miss Duffy was an aspiring actress and student at Motherwell College. She had been called to audition at the then Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and was on her way home from a night out celebrating with friends when she was attacked.
Mr Auld stood trial later that year, with the court hearing that a bite mark was a perfect match for his teeth. He claimed it was a love bite and said the teenager had walked off with a stranger.
The decision by the jury to reach a not-proven verdict sparked calls for the controversial Scots law option to be scrapped.
In 1995, Miss Duffy's parents, Joe and Kate, won a civil action against Mr Auld and were awarded £50,000.
They also set up Petal, a support group for the families of murder victims, and helped lead calls to scrap the double jeopardy rule.
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