Limbs in the Loch: Catching a Killer - Season 1

On a cold December morning, the limbs of a young man are found by chance in Loch Lomond by police divers on a routine training exercise. News of the grim discovery at one of Scotland's most famous beauty spots quickly reaches the tabloid press, and speculation of a gangland killing ensues. Then, eight days later, the severed head of the young man washes up on Barassie Beach, 60 miles away on Scotland's south-west coast.

The victim is identified as 18-year-old Barry Wallace, from Kilmarnock, who had been reported missing after a night out with work colleagues. Strathclyde Police launch a murder probe, with Detective Superintendent John Geates appointed senior investigating officer. Geates and his team quickly identify a prime suspect, William Beggs, and armed with a warrant, raid his flat. There is no sign of Beggs, but the police make a shocking discovery.

After human remains belonging to 18-year-old Barry Wallace are found in Loch Lomond, Strathclyde Police identify William Beggs as a suspect and raid his flat. There is no sign of Beggs, but the police make a startling discovery inside the flat - blood samples belonging to Barry are found in the folds of the washing machine.

The police launch a national manhunt in a bid to stop Beggs in his tracks. At the same time, to build a picture of their suspect, detectives investigate his past. Beggs was one of five children brought up in a strict religious family in Northern Ireland. He was involved in politics in his teens and is believed to have developed homophobic views. There had also been an allegation made against Beggs that he had attacked a fellow pupil with a razor blade on a camping trip, but this is just the tip of the iceberg.

As detectives dig deeper into Beggs' past, they make a startling discovery that changes the course of the investigation.

Detectives want to question William Beggs, the prime suspect in relation to the murder of 18-year-old Barry Wallace - but Beggs is on the run.

As the manhunt continues, Strathclyde Police make a shocking discovery that turns the investigation on its head: Beggs has killed before. In May 1987, the mutilated remains of a young man were found in a forest in the north east of England. The victim was 28-year-old student Barry Oldham from Bolton. His throat had been cut, and attempts had been made to dismember his body. Within a month, Beggs had been arrested and charged with the murder. Beggs had met Barry Oldham in Rockshots, Newcastle's busiest gay club. He claimed he had acted in self-defence after Barry Oldham had attacked him during a subsequent camping trip.

Beggs was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment, but an appeal saw his conviction overturned two years later, and he was released from prison.

After discovering that Beggs had previously been sentenced to life in prison for murder, but had been freed on appeal, the search for him in relation to the murder of Barry Wallace intensifies.

Strathclyde Police now believe that Beggs has fled the country and are liaising with Interpol, the world's largest international police organisation. Then, two weeks after going on the run, Beggs hands himself into a police station in Amsterdam, a move that puzzles detectives. It soon becomes apparent that Beggs has chosen the Netherlands because of its robust extradition laws. Strathclyde Police must work hard to have Beggs returned to Scotland to stand trial for the murder of Barry Wallace. As they prepare the case, the force uncovers more secrets from Beggs's past.

William Beggs is wanted in connection to the murder of Barry Wallace, but has fled the country and handed himself in to police in Amsterdam, hoping to benefit from their robust extradition laws. He claims that he won't stand a fair trial due to the press coverage of the case in Scotland.

While extradition proceedings take place, Strathclyde Police use the time to build a strong case against Beggs. They return to his flat in the hope of finding additional forensic evidence. At the same time, they uncover more attacks linked to Beggs and make a crucial breakthrough when a new witness comes forward.

Back in Amsterdam, Beggs is about to learn his fate - will he be extradited to the UK to stand trial for the murder of Barry Wallace?

After 12 months of legal wrangling, William Beggs is finally extradited from The Netherlands to Scotland, where he will be tried for the murder of 18-year-old Barry Wallace at the high court of Edinburgh
Beggs denies the killing, but blood samples belonging to Wallace were found in his flat. The Crown must now prove beyond reasonable doubt that Beggs is the killer and will be relying on a former friend of the accused to give evidence.

In accordance with Scots law, the Crown can't inform the jury of Beggs' previous convictions. Will William Beggs be found guilty, or will he walk free?