A former RAF man who was convicted of murdering a judge's daughter in Northern Ireland 47 years ago has had his case referred to the Court of Appeal in Belfast, the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) announced yesterday.
Mr Iain Hay Gordon (68) was found guilty but insane of murdering Patricia Curran (19), daughter of Northern Ireland's former Attorney General, Sir Lancelot Curran, in 1953. He was sent to a mental institution and after his release in 1960 returned to his native Glasgow.
Mr Gordon said yesterday the CCRC decisions had lifted a heavy load from his mind.
"Over the years, going back to 1950, I have had so many setbacks and false dawns, you just tend to come to terms with it. But this development is a fantastic step forward."