10/09/2007
World's End Case Collapses
The trial of a convicted paedophile accused of murdering two teenage girls 30 years ago has collapsed at a High Court in Edinburgh.
Angus Sinclair, 62, denied killing 17-year-olds Christine Eadie and Helen Scott, over the so-called World's End murders.
Judge Lord Clarke ruled the Crown had insufficient evidence and the Sinclair had no case to answer.
Sinclair was convicted and jailed for life in 2001 for raping and murdering Glasgow teenager Mary Gallacher in November 1978, after new DNA evidence linked him to the crime. He had also been convicted of the culpable homicide of seven-year-old Catherine Reehill in 1961 for which he served six years. He has convictions for three rapes and a number of other sexual offences for which he was convicted at The High Court in Edinburgh in 1982.
Police believe he may be linked to several other unsolved murders dating back to the 1970s.
Prosecutors used DNA evidence to try to bring about a conviction over the World’s End killings, one of Britain’s longest unsolved murder cases.
Dismissing the case at the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Clarke said: "I am of the view that the evidence taken at its highest in context of a whole is neutral as to whether or not he was involved in acting with force or violence against the girls, there having been some evidence of sexual contact between him and the girls in the 12 hours or so before they were killed.
“The question of timing seems to me to be critical.
“I’m not satisfied what the advocate-depute had to say overcame these difficulties in that respect.”
(CD)
Angus Sinclair, 62, denied killing 17-year-olds Christine Eadie and Helen Scott, over the so-called World's End murders.
Judge Lord Clarke ruled the Crown had insufficient evidence and the Sinclair had no case to answer.
Sinclair was convicted and jailed for life in 2001 for raping and murdering Glasgow teenager Mary Gallacher in November 1978, after new DNA evidence linked him to the crime. He had also been convicted of the culpable homicide of seven-year-old Catherine Reehill in 1961 for which he served six years. He has convictions for three rapes and a number of other sexual offences for which he was convicted at The High Court in Edinburgh in 1982.
Police believe he may be linked to several other unsolved murders dating back to the 1970s.
Prosecutors used DNA evidence to try to bring about a conviction over the World’s End killings, one of Britain’s longest unsolved murder cases.
Dismissing the case at the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Clarke said: "I am of the view that the evidence taken at its highest in context of a whole is neutral as to whether or not he was involved in acting with force or violence against the girls, there having been some evidence of sexual contact between him and the girls in the 12 hours or so before they were killed.
“The question of timing seems to me to be critical.
“I’m not satisfied what the advocate-depute had to say overcame these difficulties in that respect.”
(CD)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
08 November 2013
Uncle Convicted Of Murdering His Three-Year-Old Nephew
An uncle who assaulted and killed his three-year-old nephew in his care has been found guilty of murder following a trial at the Old Bailey. Ben Igbinedion, 43, of Darent House, Brangbourne Road, Bromley, assaulted his nephew Daniel Evbuowman in the early hours of 2 March after Daniel had wet the bed they were sharing.
Uncle Convicted Of Murdering His Three-Year-Old Nephew
An uncle who assaulted and killed his three-year-old nephew in his care has been found guilty of murder following a trial at the Old Bailey. Ben Igbinedion, 43, of Darent House, Brangbourne Road, Bromley, assaulted his nephew Daniel Evbuowman in the early hours of 2 March after Daniel had wet the bed they were sharing.
24 January 2012
Man Convicted Of Murdering Man, 79
A 27-year-old has been convicted of brutally murdering an elderly man in London. Andrew Monk, 27, of Abergeldie Road, SE12 was on Tuesday found guilty of the murder of James Land, 79, at Mr Land's home in Whitefoot Terrace, Lewisham on 10 May 2011.
Man Convicted Of Murdering Man, 79
A 27-year-old has been convicted of brutally murdering an elderly man in London. Andrew Monk, 27, of Abergeldie Road, SE12 was on Tuesday found guilty of the murder of James Land, 79, at Mr Land's home in Whitefoot Terrace, Lewisham on 10 May 2011.
26 July 2004
Teenage schoolboy convicted of murdering fellow pupil
A teenage schoolboy has been convicted of the murder of another pupil in Lincolnshire last November. The 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of killing Luke Walmsley at Birkbeck School in North Somercotes, Lincolnshire, on November 4.
Teenage schoolboy convicted of murdering fellow pupil
A teenage schoolboy has been convicted of the murder of another pupil in Lincolnshire last November. The 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of killing Luke Walmsley at Birkbeck School in North Somercotes, Lincolnshire, on November 4.
01 May 2008
Babysitter Granted Retrial For Toddler Death
A babysitter found guilty of murdering a two-year-old has been granted a retrial. Suzanne Holdworth, 37, of Millpool Close, Hartlepool, has denied that she banged Kyle Fisher's head against a banister in a fit of temper.
Babysitter Granted Retrial For Toddler Death
A babysitter found guilty of murdering a two-year-old has been granted a retrial. Suzanne Holdworth, 37, of Millpool Close, Hartlepool, has denied that she banged Kyle Fisher's head against a banister in a fit of temper.
28 March 2013
Man Given Life Sentence For Murdering Parents
A 46-year-old man has been jailed for life after being convicted of killing his parents. Following a five-week trial, Mr Seddon was convicted of murdering his father Robert (68) and his mother Patricia (65) as well as their attempted murders four months previously.
Man Given Life Sentence For Murdering Parents
A 46-year-old man has been jailed for life after being convicted of killing his parents. Following a five-week trial, Mr Seddon was convicted of murdering his father Robert (68) and his mother Patricia (65) as well as their attempted murders four months previously.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.