Vulnerable Margaret, 19, was kept prisoner at Seacroft, a bungalow on the banks of the River Clyde.
The land where murdered Margaret Fleming’s home once stood has been slashed in price after owners failed to shift the controversial plot. 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.
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. Now, after plans for several homes on the site were withdrawn, almost £20,000 has been slashed off the asking price for the plot.
Property agents McEwan Fraser Legal told the Record they are close to making a sale after the knockdown price prompted a flurry of interest. A spokeswoman said: “Following a recent price adjustment to £332,500, interest has been strong, and we anticipate a high level of engagement from buyers looking to capitalise on this ready-to-build opportunity.
“Given the renewed planning approval and the increasing demand for premium homes in this area, we expect a successful sale in the near future.” Edward Cairney and Avril Jones were both 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. 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.
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. 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. Following withdrawal of fresh plans for four homes last year, the plot went on the market for offers over £350,000 last July.
