Missing man named as murder victim

A BODY found last week has been identified as that of a man reported missing more than five months ago.

Graeme Ferry, 25, was last seen in the early hours of 2 April in the Bellshill area of North Lanarkshire.

His body was recovered by Strathclyde Police in Cleland, near Motherwell, at around 6pm on Tuesday.

Mr Ferry’s family have been informed of the identification.

Three men were arrested before the discovery of the body.

Andrew Shilliday, 38, Garry Smith, 33, and Michael Archibald, 30, all from Bellshill, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court, where they were all charged with murder and trying to defeat the ends of justice.

Each of the men made no plea or declaration and were remanded in custody.

Two women, aged 30 and 26, have also been arrested.