Patrick Docherty.

My name is Patrick Docherty, i am 43 years old. I was born in Irvine Central Hospital and am the oldest of 4 siblings. I have 2 younger sisters and 1 younger brother. I am named after my father, although i don't remember him. Iwas brought up in the Kilmarnock area by my mum Elizabeth. I attened Hillhead Primary in Kilmarnock, and later attended Grange Academy, alsoin Kilmarnock. I was hard growing up in a single parent family with no father figure to influence me. By the time i started secondary school, i was getting into trouble with the law. Six weeks after starting secondary school, i was put away for the first time by a children's panel. Since then i have spent most of my life in and out of prison; something i'm not proud of. I went from children's home to Bostel, to Young Offenders, and then to Prison when i reached the age of 21. Mum brought us up to the best of her ability, and with alotof love and care. Iwas a difficult child for my mum, but she tried her best with me; but i wanted more. I wanted the same toys and possessions all the other kids had. Mum couldn't always afford this, so i started my life of crime to pay for things myself.

When i was in doing a sentence in the year 1990, i met Liz. Liz and myself already knew each other. From there we started to write to each other. Liz also started to visit me. We got together on my release in the year of 1992 and i then moved in with Liz and her kids. For three-and-a-half years i had a stable life. Liz kept me out of trouble, which was good for me, as before meeting Liz, i was constantly in trouble with the law. Liz already had four kids when we met, and we then had our own daughter together in 1993. Being part of a loving family kept me on the straight and narrow for four years. In 1996, Liz and i split up. I moved back to the Kilmarnock area, and before long i was back in and out of trouble and doing sentence after sentence. This continued up until 2003. I was released in August of that year, but just twelve weeks later my world fell apart, and came crashing down all around me. On October 31st, 2003, i was charged along with Brendan Dixon for the murder of a 93 year old woman.

This is a crime i did not commit. Myself and Brendan have never hung about with each other, although we do know each other.

We spent from November 3rd 2003, until January 6th 2004 on remand, charged with this despicable crime. On January 6th, 2004, the crown decided, due to unforseen circumstances they no longer apposed bail. Therefore, we were immediately released after appearing at Kilmarrnock Court.

The unforseen circumstances the Crown spoke of, were all the results of the forensic examinations of the crime scene. There was no match for Brendan Dixon or I. Therefore we were released on bail.

The trial started on January 28th 2005. While i was on bail, i got in contact with Liz; we then got back together. I told Liz all about my forth-coming trial. Our Lawyers didn't think it would go to trial as there was no evidence against us. Nor, did we think we would be found guilty of this dispicable crime. I'm no angel and have been in and out of trouble all of my life. But i did not commit this crime. We were convicted on the words of various witnesses, themselves no stanger to the police. During the trial i got joined minutes signed proving witnesses were lying about me. There was another joined minute signed for myself and Brendan Dixon and Colin Miller, proving that the forensics and DNA did not belong to any of us.

Getting this 25 year sentence just three months after getting back with Elizabeth and the kids was truely devastating. Firstly as i did not commit the crime; secondly as i had just got back into Liz and the kids lives. If i thought for a moment that i would have been convicted, i wouldn't have got back with the kids and Liz. Because now, Liz and the kids are suffering this nightmare just as much as i am. I have been in nearly four years and have lost all these years of my familys life. It breks my heart not knowing when i will get back home to them again. If it was not for Liz and my kids, i would have given up on my life when i was convicted. But i havn't. And i'm not going to. Knowing Liz and the kids are out there standing by me, gives me the strength and courage i need to carry on. My name will be cleared, as i did not commit this crime.

Liz and i got married on 27th April 2007. Not an ideal start to married life, with me in prison. Liz believes in my innocence, as do my kids and family. Together we will fight on, and hopefully succeed in clearing my name.

The love of my wife and family, and hope are all i have, because my life was taken from me on February 17th 2005, when i got this 25 year sentence. At my darkest times, i sometimes think they have took my life away from me, so i may aswell give them it physically. I don't have a life in here, then i think of my wife and kids and the fact that i'm an innocent man. That spurs me on to carry on. Ending my life would be the easy way out, but others might see it as a sign of guilt. As i am an innocent man i will not give my life up that easy, no matter how hard it gets, or how long it takes to prove my innocence.