Mary McLaren murderer Patrick Rae loses appeal bid
A man who raped and murdered a Dundee mother has lost an appeal against his conviction.
Patrick Rae was found guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh of murdering Mary McLaren in February 2010.
The serial sex offender was sentenced to life in prison and ordered to serve at least 20 years.
Rae, 41, was caught after CCTV images showed him dancing with Mrs McLaren and leaving Fat Sams nightclub with her on the night she disappeared.
He attempted twice to have his conviction thrown out but now has no further grounds for appeal after a panel of three High Court judges ruled against him.
Mrs McLaren's body was found in March 2010 hidden in undergrowth near the Ladywell roundabout in Dundee.
Rae killed her by repeatedly punching her on the head and striking her head and body on the ground.
Following his conviction, the court heard Rae had 13 previous convictions including rape, attempted rape, aggravated sexual assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and false imprisonment.
At the time of her death, Mrs McLaren - who had three children aged 18, 15 and 11 - had been looking forward to becoming a grandmother.