Convicted Murder's Appeal Against Conviction Refused
CROWN OFFICE
09 MARCH 2010
WILLIAM BEGGS v HMA
The Appeal Court today refused the appeal against conviction lodged by murderer William Beggs following his brutal murder of Ayrshire teenager Barry Wallace in December 1999.
In October 2001, Beggs was sentenced to life imprisonment, having been found guilty by a jury at a trial at Edinburgh High Court of murdering 18-year-old Mr Wallace. He was ordered to serve at least 20 years in custody as the punishment part of this sentence.
Today's decision marks the end of a long chapter in Begg's fight to escape justice. Shortly after the crime, Beggs attempted to conceal Mr Wallace's body in Loch Lomond and in the sea, before fleeing abroad to the Netherlands. However, after lengthy extradition proceedings, he was ordered in January 2001 to be returned to the United Kingdom to face trial in Scotland. Following his conviction, he subsequently lodged an appeal against both his sentence and conviction with the Appeal Court in July 2002.
Speaking after the Appeal Court's decision, Les Brown, District Procurator Fiscal for Kilmarnock, said:
"I am pleased that the Appeal Court has today refused the appeal against conviction. In doing so the Court has concluded that Mr Beggs received a fair trial and was justly convicted of the horrific murder of Barry Wallace.
I hope that the decision of the Court will be of some comfort to Barry's parents and brother, who have borne their loss with great dignity and fortitude. I have great admiration for them."
Notes for Editors
1. Begg's appeal against sentence will be heard at a date to be fixed by the High Court of Justiciary.