THE FORMER soldier who murdered teenager Elaine Doyle almost three decades ago is set to appeal against his conviction.

Lawyers acting for John Docherty, 50, have lodged legal papers with court officials in Edinburgh.

Docherty was sentenced earlier this year to a minimum of 21 years for the murder of 16-year-old Elaine in Greenock in June 1986. The jewellery shop assistant was discovered naked and strangled yards from her home.

Now Docherty's solicitors will go to the Court of Criminal Appeal later this year in a bid to have his conviction quashed.