THE so-called "limbs in the loch" killer has lost a marathon legal battle against police over CCTV footage of his victim.

William Beggs is serving life for murdering Barry Wallace and cannot apply for parole for another eight years. Nevertheless, he has launched several legal actions from his prison cell. The latest dispute began when Beggs, 50, attempted to investigate the investigation that led to his trial in September 2001.

In July 2010 he wrote to Strathclyde Police, wanting information relating to the death of the 18-year-old, including footage from security cameras at a Kilmarnock nightclub.

When he did not get what he wanted he raised an action at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, but three judges yesterday ruled against him..

Beggs' lawyer, David Leighton, argued the public interest should over-rule the Freedom of Information Act's exemption clauses.

But Lord Menzies, sitting with Lady Clark of Calton and Lord Clarke, said: "We are not persuaded that the public interest in maintaining the exemption diminishes with the passage of time."