Cash clue in hunt for killer of pensioner

Robbery is believed to be the motive for the murder of a pensioner who was stabbed to death in her Glasgow flat on Christmas Eve.

A neighbour found 93-year-old Margaret Weir in the hallway of her flat in Raglan Close at about 8.10am. She had been repeatedly stabbed.

Her great niece Edwina Perry, a police officer, said Mrs Weir was a "dear old lady" who "still believed you could leave your door open for visitors".

"In saying this, the family believes that if she encountered a threatening stranger in the house, she would have a go at them and scream in an attempt to frighten them off," Ms Perry added as she and Mrs Weir's great nephew Jim McAndrew, also a police officer, yesterday made an appeal for help in catching the killer.

Detective Superintendent Kenny Watters, the officer leading the murder inquiry, said a 60-strong investigation team was working on the case. He said a sum of money had been recovered from the residence of Mrs Weir, who was known as Peggy, but it was not yet clear whether any had been stolen.

"That confirms the stories of neighbours and family that Peggy, like numerous old people, kept money in her house," he said. "She didn't trust the banks and wanted to have her money at hand.

"The injuries sustained by Peggy would indicate that the person or persons responsible may have blood stains on their clothes."

Det Supt Watters said a team of detectives was examining CCTV footage. He added: "Two out of three men who were seen in the area between 5am and 6am on the morning of the murder have now been eliminated from inquiries."