THE former soldier accused of murdering Elaine Doyle reacted with fury when taunted about not helping police hunting her killer, a trial has heard.

John Docherty's then fiancee told how he pushed her against a wall and told her: "Never say that again."

Linda Hargie, 51, said that years later she wondered if she should tell police about Docherty's "over-reaction".

Finally, they came to her after Docherty, 49, was charged with Elaine's murder in March last year.

Health visitor Ms Hargie was a nurse in June 1986 when Elaine's naked body was found just yards from her home in Ardgowan Street, Greenock.

She told the trial she met Docherty two years earlier and they became engaged in December 1984. Their volatile relationship lasted, on and off, until 1995.

During rows, she said, there would be "pushing and shoving".

Ms Hargie said in the aftermath of Elaine's murder police were appealing for anyone who had been in the Celtic Club the night before the teenager's body was found to contact them. Elaine, 16, had been at a disco there.

When she suggested her boyfriend should go to police, Docherty told her he had no intention of contacting them.

She went on to describe an argument at her then home in Albert Street, Gourock, after Docherty had joined the Army.

She said she brought up the subject of Elaine Doyle and asked if Army officers were aware he had never contacted police about the murder.

"I think I said 'I wonder what would happen to your Army career if they knew you had not fulfilled your obligation'."

She told advocate depute John Scullion, prosecuting: "He reacted instantly and very angrily."

She added: "He immediately stopped what he was doing and turned round and pushed me by the throat or shoulders against the wall and held me there before he said: 'Never say that again' and released me."

Docherty denies Elaine's murder. The trial continues at the High Court in Edinburgh.