Edinburgh attack victim Margaret Grant, 79, left dying message which could help trace killer

The final words of a frail and vulnerable pensioner who died after being attacked by an intruder in her own home will be used to bring him to justice, detectives hope.

Sources have revealed police officers were able to speak briefly to Margaret Grant, 79, in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary before she died following an incident in her Restalrig Circus flat on Friday evening.

Housebound Margaret - who relied on carers for her daily needs - told officers that her attacker knew her name, giving detectives a potential line of enquiry.

It is understood trusting Margaret left her front door unlocked to allow her carers easy entry and this may have been known by her killer.

'Dying declaration'

Her last words are expected to be formally used as a ‘dying declaration’ and given in evidence in any court proceedings against her suspected killer.

In criminal law, a dying declaration is testimony that would normally be barred as hearsay but may be admitted as evidence in law trials because it constituted the last words of a dying person.

Dying declarations are rarely used in Scottish criminal courts but when admitted as evidence they cannot be challenged and often lead to a conviction.

Police - who yesterday carried out door-to-door questioning of people living near Margaret - will submit her final words to prosecutors at the Crown Office.

It is understood trusting Margaret left her front door unlocked to allow her carers easy entry and this may have been known by her killer.

She had no family nearby, with siblings living in Australia.

Manhunt continues

Meanwhile, the manhunt across the Capital continues for Margaret’s assailant, as Police Scotland sought to reassure the public.

It is understood a passer-by raised the alarm and the man who attacked Margaret ran away, leaving her unable to use a special communications cord to raise the alarm.

Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Houliston said the attack on Margaret was targeted “because he appeared to have known her”.

He said: “This was a despicable and cowardly attack on an elderly and frail lady within her home address and it is absolutely vital that we identify and trace this man as soon as possible.”

In a message to the culprit, he added: “If you have any conscience at all, please hand yourself in.”

The suspect, who fled on foot, is described as being white with a Scottish accent, aged between 20 and 30, with combed-back dark hair and approximately 5ft 6ins tall. He was wearing dark clothing, although his top may have been white on the lower part of his sleeves.

Appealing for witnesses, Det Chief Ins Houliston said people “should not hesitate to contact the police to allow us to bring this man to justice” if they have any information about him.

Anyone with information is asked to contact 101 quoting incident 3175 of January 24 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.