Man due in court today over missing teen Vicky

A MAN is due to appear in court today charged in connection with the disappearance of Vicky Hamilton, the teenager who vanished more than 16 years ago.

Police yesterday confirmed they had arrested and charged a man on Saturday night.

The investigation into the 15-year-old's disappearance took a dramatic leap forward earlier this month, when police searched the former home of Peter Tobin, 60.

Police have taken the unusual step of withholding the age of the suspect who has been charged, but The Scotsman understands it is Tobin.

Lothian and Borders Police released a brief statement announcing the breakthrough.

The statement read: "With reference to the investigation into the disappearance of Vicky Hamilton, which occurred on 10 February, 1991, officers have arrested, cautioned and charged a male in connection with the matter and a report has been submitted to the procurator-fiscal."

The investigation into Vicky's disappearance was renewed in November 2006 when Bert Swanson, head of the serious crime review unit at Lothian and Borders Police, announced that the case was being treated as a murder inquiry.

Mr Swanson said advances in DNA techniques could provide a vital clue to the identity of her killer.

Tobin was linked to her disappearance earlier this month.

Forensic officers carried out a series of tests at the house, in Bathgate, West Lothian, at the beginning of last month.

It is understood he was interviewed by detectives once they had received the results of DNA tests from the property.

Vicky was last seen in February 1991 as she travelled from Livingston where she had visited her sister, Sharon, to her home in Redding, near Falkirk.

She was due to change buses at Bathgate but missed the connection. Witnesses saw her sitting on a bench eating from a bag of chips.

Days later, her black leather purse was found in a bin near the bus station in Edinburgh's St Andrew Square.

It is understood that fresh DNA testing on the purse has been completed.

The teenager's disappearance sparked one of the country's biggest missing person inquiries.

A massive search was mounted by police officers from Lothian and Borders and Central Scotland.

More than 7,000 people were interviewed, 4,000 statements were taken and 12,000 documents were seized, but the girl was never found and the case remained a mystery.

Vicky did not match the profile of a typical teenage runaway.

Her mother Janette died in 1993, aged 41. Her father, Michael, has refused to have her declared legally dead or have a headstone erected.

Last month, Mr Hamilton said: "Since it was announced his [Tobin's] house was going to be searched, a lot of painful wounds have been reopened.

"I've always said it's the peace of mind I want and, until I get this, I won't be able to properly grieve for Vicky and move on."

No-one from the family was available yesterday for comment.

It was not clear last night at which court the suspect would appear.