Police renew appeal in cold case review of Caol murder

NORTHERN Constabulary is conducting a review into the murder of James Hassard in February1989, in the hope that some new information or evidence may come to light which could resolve this murder.

James Hassard, aged 47 years, was found murdered in the early hours of Saturday, 18th February, 1989. His body was found in a car park between Kilmallie Road and Torcastle Crescent , Caol, in Lochaber.

Subsequent police enquiries into this murder established that he had been drinking in the nearby Lochaber Bar between about 20:00 hours on Friday, 17th February, 1989 and 01:00 hours on Saturday, 18th February, 1989.

A police inquiry was instigated, but despite a lengthy investigation, the person or persons responsible were never traced.

Detective Chief Inspector Gordon Greenlees says:

“James Hassard was the victim of a brutal attack in 1989. Although it is over 21 years since this murder, the file has never been closed. I am convinced that the answers to this case lie within the community of Caol and I would appeal to anyone who was living or visiting the area at the time and who may know or remember something that might be useful to the investigation to contact me.

“21 years is a long time and it is possible that relationships or loyalties may have changed which may now give people the confidence to come forward."

He went on to say: “This cold case review has been prompted by new intelligence coming to light and recent advances in forensic techniques, such as DNA, which were unavailable in 1989 have presented an opportunity to re-examine this case.”