David Gilroy's murder conviction appeal rejected

Gilroy, from Silverknowes, was convicted at the High Court in Edinburgh in March 2012

The man found guilty of murdering Edinburgh office worker Suzanne Pilley has failed in his bid to have his conviction quashed.

David Gilroy was jailed for life earlier this year for killing his ex-lover. Her body has never been found.

Appeal judges dismissed his appeal after a two-hour hearing.

His lawyer told the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh police officers should have treated Gilroy as a suspect when they first questioned him.

His legal team also argued the jury in his trial were given the wrong version of a report by a pathologist.

However, judges Lord Carloway, Lord Brodie and Lord Wheatley said there was no realistic prospect of the jury reaching a different verdict.

Lord Carloway said: "This court is of the opinion that this appeal cannot succeed."

Now Gilroy's legal team plan on appealing to the UK Supreme Court in London in a bid to have him freed from his life sentence.

Gilroy was convicted at the High Court in Edinburgh in April 2012 of murdering former lover Ms Pilley in Edinburgh in May 2010.

He was sentenced to life and must serve at least 18 years.

Prosecution lawyers believe he dumped Ms Pilley's remains in a shallow grave somewhere near the Rest and Be Thankful beauty spot in Argyll.