Community service for man cleared of Duffy murder

threatening telephone calls.

As he left Hamilton Sheriff Court, Francis Auld was pursued by angry

women yelling: ''Beastie Boy'' and ''Beast''.

In November 1992, Auld, 21, was acquitted of murdering Amanda Duffy,

19, when the jury agreed a not proven verdict.

Amanda Duffy's battered body was found at an isolated spot near

Hamilton town centre in May 1992.

In court, a defence agent described the lonely life of Auld since the

murder trial. He had been shunned by friends, was unable to sleep,

broody, and drank heavily.

He was, said his agent Mr Michael Gallacher: ''A man destined to be

regarded as the man who got off, rather than the man who was acquitted.

It is a legal fact he was acquitted.''

Auld appeared for sentence on charges of making malicious telephone

calls to two former friends, Mr Patrick Vandeleur and Mr David Miller.

Sentencing Auld to community service, Sheriff Hamish Stirling said:

''These offences were particularly despicable because they were directed

against those who supported you. I consider a custodial sentence

appropriate but you are a first offender and the law demands

alternatives are considered.''

Auld admitted that, in one of the calls, he threatened Mr Vandeleur,

of Hamilton and said: ''Patrick, you thought Amanda was the last. Well,

you're next, after Caroline.''

The reference to Caroline concerned Mr Vandeleur's girl friend,

Caroline Casey. In July 1993, Auld made a number of 5.30am calls to Mr

Vandeleur.

Fiscal William Craig said: ''Both she (Caroline) and Mr Vandelour took

what was said seriously.''

Mr Craig said that, following the Amanda Duffy trial, about 10 of

Auld's friends -- including the two who received the telephone calls --

had taken a collective decision that they wanted nothing further to do

with Auld. David Miller was delegated to tell him.

On 10 July, Mr Vandeleur and his girlfriend were in bed when they

received the first telephone call around 5.30am.

No-one spoke. This happened four times. There was a fifth telephone

call, and the voice of Francis Auld whispered: ''Patrick, Patrick,

Patrick . . .''

Recognising the voice as Auld's, Mr Vandeleur asked what he was doing.

It was then that Auld threatened him.

''Mr Vandeleur then asked Mr Auld what he was doing up at that time of

day.'' Auld told him he was always up at that time.

Mr Vandeleur then left the telephone off the hook, and wrapped it up

in a T-shirt before eventually unplugging it. The minute he replaced the

receiver, it rang again.

Later, at a funeral, Mr Vandeleur met Mr David Miller and told him of

the calls -- to discover that he, too, had been receiving telephone

calls where no-one spoke. He had received at least 13 telephone calls

around 5.30am.

Police were informed and line traces were placed on the two men's

telephones. ''This resulted in a number of successful line traces to the

home of Francis Auld,'' Mr Craig said.

Police raided Auld's home in August, 1993, and took Auld and his

parents into custody.

Auld admitted making the calls. He did not recollect the precise words

of his threat, but admitted making it.

After Auld left court, his girlfriend appeared before Sheriff Stirling

for sen

tence.

Carol Smith, 20, who now lives with Auld in England, admitted sending

hate mail to Mrs Kate Duffy, the mother of the murdered girl.

In the letter was a photograph of Mr and Mrs Duffy

next to the words: F---ing pathetic.

Sheriff Stirling admonished Smith and said: ''I am well satisfied that

you were under considerable stress -- and you are a first offender.''