Missing Student 'Left Man's Home In Early Hours'

A man has told police a missing Glasgow student left his home in the early hours of Sunday.

Karen Buckley, 24, was seen on CCTV leaving the Sanctuary nightclub at around 1am in the city's West End with the man.

Officers tracked down the man, who told them Ms Buckley left his home in Dorchester Avenue at around 4am.

She has not been heard from since.

Detective Superintendent Jim Kerr told a news conference the man has given a full account of what happened and was not currently being regarded as a suspect but is "helping" with enquiries.

The detective said a handbag believed to be Ms Buckley's had been found in nearby Dawsholm Park shortly before he spoke to reporters.

Det Supt Kerr said her parents had told police it was typical for her not to use taxis and, as a result, it was possible she may have tried to walk home.

He appealed for anyone who had seen Ms Buckley - a Glasgow Caledonian University student from Cork in Ireland - to get in touch.

Her family have flown to Scotland from Ireland to help with the search.

Her mother, Marian, told the news conference: "We just want Karen home safely, we are desperate. She is our only daughter, we love her dearly.

"If anybody has any information please come forward, we would dearly appreciate it."

Ms Buckley's father, John, said: "If anybody is holding Karen, if anybody knows anything of her, please return her. Please let's have her back. We love her to bits."

Ms Buckley arrived at the club with friends at around 11.45pm on Saturday and at around 1am she told them she was going to the toilet.

But she failed to return and left her jacket at the club.

Det Supt Kerr emphasised that Ms Buckley was widely travelled and was "aware of how to take care of herself".

But he said it was "very out of character" for her not to return home.

Police also want to find out more about a grey car seen on the roads between Milngavie and Drymen, north of Glasgow, between 11am and 3pm on Monday.

A major search is under way in Glasgow, with police carrying out door-to-door inquiries and examining CCTV.

Ms Buckley is between 5ft and 5ft 2in with brown eyes and dark hair which had long black curly extensions in it.

She was last seen wearing a black jumpsuit, red high-heeled shoes and carrying a black handbag.

She speaks with an Irish accent.

Ms Buckley lives with three other students in a flat in Hill Street, Garnethill, Glasgow.