Limbs in the loch killer William Beggs has won a court action to have officials reconsider his plea to have a personal computer in prison.

Beggs, 53, who was given a life sentence in 2001 for murdering 18-year-old Barry Wallace, claims he needs a laptop to help with legal actions and access educational programmes.

Prison authorities have previously rejected his requests but will be forced to reconsider after a ruling at Court of Session in Edinburgh on Wednesday.

Lord Malcolm noted Beggs was involved in a "large number" of cases and had accumulated a correspondingly large number of papers which were causing storage problems and a fire risk.

The judge further stated Beggs had not been given the opportunity to discuss his request in person with a prison governor.

"The relevant policy contemplates that there can be cases where security issues are satisfactorily addressed in respect of a personal laptop is use, and previously one prisoner passed the test," he said.

"At a minimum, the petitioner (Beggs) should be entitled to an opportunity to respond to and seek to alleviate any such concerns specific to him."

In his ruling, Lord Malcolm said he would quash the previous rejections of Beggs' requests, meaning the applications were now outstanding and should be considered afresh.

The judge said it was not for him to decide on appropriate future procedure.

He added: "However, it may be helpful if I note that amongst the voluminous paperwork accompanying the petition I have found no record of any governor granting the petitioner a meeting to discuss his requests and the reasons for them.

"The new decision maker may wish to consider whether there would be merit in such a meeting, when, whatever else, security concerns could be addressed face-to-face."

Beggs has pursued a string of legal actions since he was jailed for a minimum of 20 years after murdering Mr Wallace and dismembering his body at a house in Doon Place, Kilmarnock, in Ayrshire, in 1999.

He disposed of body parts of the teenager in Loch Lomond and in the sea off the Ayrshire coast.

David Leighton, counsel for Beggs, argued in the judicial review that the previous refusals amounted to a disproportionate interference with his Article 8 rights under the European Convention of Human Rights.