A JURY has heard how the man on trial for the murder of Elaine Doyle was first confronted with the allegation.

John Docherty, 49, was led away in handcuffs after a dawn raid on his Greenock home almost 27 years after Elaine's naked body was discovered.

Detective Constable Christopher Nisbet, 31, described the events of March 22 last year to the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday.

Mr Nisbet, part of the Strathclyde force's major investigations team, said eight officers went to an address in Trafalgar Street, Greenock, just before 6am with a search warrant.

Docherty, who was there with his partner and daughter answered his knock and let the officers in.

"Mr Docherty turned his back and we walked through to the living room, followed him into the living room."

Mr Nisbet explained that Docherty was cautioned that he did not have to say anything and detained under a procedure which allowed police to take him to a police station, initially for 12 hours, and held there while investigations continued.

Advocate depute John Scullion asked the detective if Docherty was told, in general terms, why they were there.

"Yes. He was told that through investigations that he had been identified as being involved in the murder of Elaine Doyle," replied Mr Nisbet.

"He made no reply."

Docherty denies murder. The trial continues.