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Murder accused offers no evidence | Murder accused offers no evidence |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Convicted child killer Peter Tobin has offered no evidence in his defence at a trial for the murder of Essex teenager Dinah McNicol. | Convicted child killer Peter Tobin has offered no evidence in his defence at a trial for the murder of Essex teenager Dinah McNicol. |
Oliver Blunt QC, representing Mr Tobin, told Chelmsford Crown Court: "On behalf of Peter Tobin, we call no evidence." The jury is likely to retire shortly. | Oliver Blunt QC, representing Mr Tobin, told Chelmsford Crown Court: "On behalf of Peter Tobin, we call no evidence." The jury is likely to retire shortly. |
Mr Tobin, 63, of Johnstone, Renfrewshire, denies murdering the 18-year-old. | Mr Tobin, 63, of Johnstone, Renfrewshire, denies murdering the 18-year-old. |
He has already been convicted of murdering Vicky Hamilton, who was 15. | He has already been convicted of murdering Vicky Hamilton, who was 15. |
Miss Hamilton, from Redding, Falkirk, went missing from Bathgate, West Lothian, in February 1991. | |
Miss McNicol, of Tillingham, Essex, disappeared after leaving a music festival in Hampshire in August 1991. | Miss McNicol, of Tillingham, Essex, disappeared after leaving a music festival in Hampshire in August 1991. |
Traces of an anti-depressant, sleeping pills and cannabis were found in the sixth-former's liver, the court heard. | |
Forensic scientist John Slaughter said amitriptyline - used to treat depression - could cause dizziness and loss of co-ordination. | Forensic scientist John Slaughter said amitriptyline - used to treat depression - could cause dizziness and loss of co-ordination. |
He said there was also a "good indication" of the sleeping pill triazolam in her system. | He said there was also a "good indication" of the sleeping pill triazolam in her system. |
In April 1990, Mr Tobin was treated in hospital after overdosing on triazolam, jurors heard. | In April 1990, Mr Tobin was treated in hospital after overdosing on triazolam, jurors heard. |
Miss McNicol's body was found wrapped in a bin bag close to another grave containing Vicky Hamilton's remains. | |
Home Office pathologist Dr David Rouse, who conducted post-mortem examinations on both bodies, said there was no evidence Miss McNicol was sexually assaulted. | |
However, he said any injuries would be difficult to detect 16 years after death. | |
Jurors heard Miss McNicol was found tied and gagged, wearing a green jacket, a dark sleeveless vest and trousers. | |
Dr Rouse said: "Her knickers... were rolled at the back, which suggests the underwear had been disturbed." |