Margaret Fleming murder house snapped up by buyer after plot slashed in price

Daily Record

a day ago

Vulnerable Margaret, 19, was kept prisoner at Seacroft, a bungalow on the banks of the River Clyde, in Inverkip, Renfrewshire, before her carers were convicted of her murder.
A buyer has snapped up the land where murdered Margaret Fleming's home once stood after it was slashed in price.
Vulnerable Margaret, 19, was kept prisoner at Seacroft, a bungalow on the banks of the River Clyde, in Inverkip, Renfrewshire, before her carers were convicted of her murder.
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The house of horrors, where detectives believe she may have been killed, was bulldozed after being bought up by millionaire developers from England in 2017.
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Now - after almost a year on the market - the plot is under offer after almost £20,000 was slashed off the £350,000 asking price.
Property agents McEwan Fraser Legal previously told the Record they were close to making a sale after the knockdown price prompted a flurry of interest.
In March, a spokeswoman said they were anticipating a 'high level of engagement from buyers looking to capitalise on this ready-to-build opportunity'.
It's understood the sale is underway but still to be completed.
Edward Cairney and Avril Jones were bot h convicted in 2019 of killing Margaret between December 1999 and January 2000, and each sentenced to life in jail with a minimum term of 14 years. Despite searches of Seacroft and its surrounding land, Margaret's remains have never been found.
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She was left in the evil couple's care after her dad Derek - a friend of the pair - died in 1995. Margaret had learning difficulties and had not been seen for 20 years.
Her disappearance only came to light when she had to reapply for disability benefits and officials could not contact her.
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Police visited the house, sparking a missing person probe. It then emerged no one from social services had been in contact with Margaret for at least 17 years.
At Cairney and Jones' trial, it was revealed that Jones had fraudulently claimed £182,000 in benefits after pretending for nearly two decades she was alive.
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Cairney died in hospital in October 2023. Jones remains in prison.
Coventry haulage firm Slam Transport bought the site for £120,000 and was given the go-ahead for two new homes several years ago.
It said that new homes would help remove the 'stigma' attached to the land because of its association with the murder case.
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The 0.6 acre land at Seacroft, which boasts stunning views over the Clyde, was put on the market in July last year after plans to build a quartet of eco-friendly homes at the were withdrawn.
But the site was marketed with planning in place for two, 4000 sqft houses.
The property agent said: 'The striking design features modern materials, two levels of light filled accommodation with private parking and private gardens.'
McEwan Fraser Legal declined to comment on the pending sale.