A man who murdered a Montrose woman when he was 16 has died in jail.
Kenneth William Dutch, who was prisoner at Greenock Prison, was convicted of killing 48-year-old Christina Petrie in 1979 and jailed for life.
He spent more than 30 years behind bars before his death at the age of 51in February last year.
The Parole Board considered, and refused, his case at least 13 times.
Dutch raised a judicial review at the Court of Session in Edinburgh against both the Parole Board for Scotland and Scottish ministers in 2013, claiming the parole board’s decision not to sanction his release was a breach of his rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.
As well as seeking an order for his release from prison, Dutch also sought £10,000 in damages.
However, his case was thrown out due to the brutal and sexual nature of his crime. The court was also told that Dutch had behaved inappropriately towards women while on work placements.
A fatal accident inquiry will take place into his death at Greenock Sheriff Court in November, with a preliminary hearing on September 18.
It took a jury just 45 minutes to convict Dutch of murder in May 1979.
He stamped Ms Petrie to death following a New Year’s party in Montrose.
Ms Petrie’s naked body was found in the cellar area of 8 Glenlethnot Place, where she was staying with her father.
Dutch kicked his victim on the head and body before stamping on her. Ms Petrie was unrecognisable when a relative was taken to see the body.
Sentencing the then 16-year-old, Lord Robertson described his crime as “particularly horrifying”.