A fast food shop owner has admitted murdering a woman in Glasgow more than 20 years ago.

Zhi Min Chen, 44, choked Tracy Wylde to death at her flat in Barmulloch in November 1997.

The body of the 21 year-old mum, who had latterly been working as a prostitute, was discovered the next morning.

A large scale manhunt to catch the killer - initially lasting two and a half years - proved fruitless.

Chinese-born Chen meantime continued to live in Glasgow, getting married and also setting up a takeaway restaurant.

A cold case review in 2013 also brought no joy. However, police struck lucky last summer after Chen was held for an alleged assault in Glasgow's Cowcaddens.

His DNA matched samples found at the scene at the time and led to the dad-of-two being charged with her death.

On Wednesday, Chen pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow.

He now faces a life sentence when he returns to the dock next month.

Ms Wylde was described as having a "turbulent background" and had been a sex worker in Glasgow at the time.

On November 23, 1997, she ventured out into Glasgow and was last spotted on CCTV around 3.20am the next morning in the city's red-light area.

Prosecutor Steven Borthwick said it was about 4.40am when neighbour Mary McAnemy heard arguing in Ms Wylde's flat.

She then heard Ms Wylde's door being slammed shut and keys being rattled.

The alarm was eventually raised when Ms Wylde failed to show for an appointment at a support group.

Ms McAnemy then made the grim discovery after gaining entry into Ms Wylde's home with help from a visiting support worker.

Mr Borthwick told the court: "She was lying on her back with a dressing gown over her body.

"She was observed to be fully dressed. There were marks and bruising around Tracy's neck."

The cause of death was found to be "manual strangulation".

DNA from an unknown man was found on Ms Wylde's body and clothes, as well as a number of fingerprints in the area.

Chen was eventually snared after he was held for two assaults in July 2018.

Mr Borthwick said: "His fingerprints were found as being a match with the unidentified fingerprints from the murder scene."

Chen was quizzed and admitted that he used the services of prostitutes, but denied any involvement in the killing until pleading guilty.

The court was told Chen moved to the UK in 1995. He married his Chinese wife in 2004 and went on to have two children.

He later ran a takeaway restaurant and lived in Anniesland in Glasgow's west end.

Chen will learn the minimum he will spend behind bars next month.

Lord Arthurson told him: "You have been convicted of a murder of a 21-year-old young woman in her own home.

"The only sentence that the court can and will pass is that of life imprisonment."

Following Chen's admittance, detective inspector Gordon MacKenzie praised Ms Wylde's family for their support over the years and hoped the murderer's plea would provide some "sense of closure".

He said: "Today marks the end of a 21-year wait for the family of Tracy Wylde to see the man responsible for her brutal murder finally brought to justice.

"They never lost faith that this day would come and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for the support they have given the inquiry team over the years.

"It is a real shame that Tracy's mother Fay, who died a couple of years ago, is not here to see her daughter's killer held accountable.

"This investigation involved a wide range of officers and detectives due to its scale and longevity and I speak for them all in welcoming today's result, which will hopefully provide a sense of closure to Tracy's family.

"The conclusion of this case also sends an important message regarding Police Scotland's commitment to unresolved murders.

"These cases will always be a key priority and our specialist detectives will continue to use the latest advances in technology and any new information which comes to light to provide answers for the families of victims and bring their killers to justice."