A FAST food shop owner who murdered a woman in 1997 has been jailed for at least 20 years.

Zhi Min Chen was today told by a judge that the killing of Tracey Wylde was “brutal and cowardly”.

The 44-year-old choked Tracey to death at her home in Barmulloch, Glasgow, in November 1997.

The 21-year-old mum had been working as a prostitute at the time.

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Chen met her for sexual services before a row broke out between the pair at her flat.

He believed Tracey was still alive when he fled.

A large scale manhunt to catch the killer - initially lasting two and a half years - proved fruitless.

Chinese-born Chen meantime continued to live in Glasgow, getting married and also setting up a takeaway restaurant.

A cold case review in 2013 also brought no joy.

But, police got a breakthrough last summer after Chen was held for an alleged assault in Glasgow's Cowcaddens.

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His DNA matched samples found at the scene at time.

Dad-of-two Chen was today jailed for life at the High Court in Glasgow having earlier pleaded guilty to a murder charge.

Lord Arthurson told him: “You should be under no illusions concerning the damage and trauma you murderous attack has caused down the decades and beyond to her family.

“You...proceeded to enjoy the prime years of your adult life in undetected freedom including establishing a family and a business during those years.

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“You committed a brutal, cowardly and murderous attack on a vulnerable young woman in her own home.”

Chen kept his head bowed as he sat in the dock throughout the hearing.

He refused to look at members of Tracey's traumatised family as he was led to the cells.

Lord Arthurson said the minimum jail-term would have been 22 years, but for the guilty plea.