SOUVENIR newspapers featuring the death of Elaine Doyle were found in the flat of the man ­accused of murdering her.

Detectives told a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh they searched John Docherty's flat in ­Trafalgar Street, Greenock, after he was taken away to be questioned in March last year.

Detective Constable Peter Scullion said there was a brown suitcase in top of a wardrobe in a child's bedroom.

The list of contents included newspapers, birthday cards, sympathy cards, wedding photos, medals and other bits and pieces such as cigarette coupons and old coins.

The detective and his colleagues found two copies of an issue of "Inverclyde Memories" produced by the local Greenock Telegraph newspaper in 2007.

The death of 16-year-old Elaine Doyle was part of a compilation of stories.

The Blitz, a major distillery fire and a campaign against hospital closure also featured.

Defence QC Donald Findlay said there was no evidence that Docherty had touched the suitcase, let alone looked at the contents.

Docherty, 49, now of Dunoon, denies murdering Elaine on June 2, 1986.

He claims that, at the time he is alleged to have stripped and strangled Elaine Doyle, he was with his parents in Ann Street, Greenock.

The trial continues.