THE former soldier who murdered Elaine Doyle has formally lodged an appeal against his conviction.

Lawyers acting for John Docherty, 50, have submitted legal papers with court officials in Edinburgh.

Docherty was recently sentenced to a minimum of 21 years behind bars after being found guilty of strangling 16-year-old Elaine to death in a lane off Ardgowan Street on 2 June 1986.

Docherty’s solicitors will go to the Court of Criminal Appeal later this year in a bid to have his conviction quashed.

A court official said yesterday: “We have received papers which indicate an intention to appeal against conviction and sentence.” Docherty was arrested in 2012 following a cold case review and a crucial DNA evidence breakthrough.

The date of his appeal has yet to be set.