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Judge throws out World's End case Inquiry call after trial collapse
(about 5 hours later)
The trial of a convicted killer and sex offender who was accused of murdering two young women in Edinburgh 30 years ago has collapsed. Politicians have called for an inquiry into the dramatic collapse of the World's End murder trial.
Angus Sinclair had denied attacking and killing 17-year-olds Christine Eadie and Helen Scott in what became known as the World's End murders case. Convicted killer and sex offender Angus Sinclair was accused of murdering 17-year-olds Christine Eadie and Helen Scott in Edinburgh 30 years ago.
The girls were last seen in the World's End pub in the city and their bodies dumped in East Lothian in October 1977.
Judge Lord Clarke said the Crown had insufficient evidence to proceed.Judge Lord Clarke said the Crown had insufficient evidence to proceed.
Questions have been raised as to why certain evidence was never heard. The Crown Office insisted there had been enough to indict Sinclair.
Independent MSP Margo MacDonald has lodged a question with Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond, asking whether an inquiry will be heard into the collapse of the case and Sinclair's acquittal.
Labour's justice spokeswoman in Scotland Margaret Curran MSP said it was "deeply disappointing" the trial had been thrown out while her Tory counterpart, Bill Aitken MSP, added that it was right that questions would be asked in the days to come.
The teenagers were last seen in the World's End pub and their bodies dumped in East Lothian in October 1977.
Missing prosecutor
Advocate depute Alan Mackay, the leader of the prosecution team, was not in his usual place in court to hear the judge's decision.Advocate depute Alan Mackay, the leader of the prosecution team, was not in his usual place in court to hear the judge's decision.
Police have said that Mr Mackay has been reported missing and concern has been expressed for his whereabouts.Police have said that Mr Mackay has been reported missing and concern has been expressed for his whereabouts.
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 Judge Lord Clarke Lack of evidence led to collapse
Sinclair, 62, has been serving a life sentence in Peterhead Prison for killing 17-year-old Mary Gallagher in November 1978.Sinclair, 62, has been serving a life sentence in Peterhead Prison for killing 17-year-old Mary Gallagher in November 1978.
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 Judge Lord Clarke Lack of evidence led to collapse
He also has a string of convictions for sexual offences including the sexual assault and strangulation of eight-year-old Catherine Reehill in 1961.He also has a string of convictions for sexual offences including the sexual assault and strangulation of eight-year-old Catherine Reehill in 1961.
He lodged a special defence at the World's End trial, incriminating his brother-in-law Gordon Hamilton, who is dead.He lodged a special defence at the World's End trial, incriminating his brother-in-law Gordon Hamilton, who is dead.
In a document read to the jury at the start of the trial Sinclair blamed Mr Hamilton for the murders.
Sinclair also claimed that any sexual contact between him and the young women was consensual.Sinclair also claimed that any sexual contact between him and the young women was consensual.
Ms Eadie's naked body was found at Gosford Bay, East Lothian, on 16 October, 1977.Ms Eadie's naked body was found at Gosford Bay, East Lothian, on 16 October, 1977.
Tied up
Her hands were bound behind her back, she had been strangled with a pair of tights and she had been gagged.Her hands were bound behind her back, she had been strangled with a pair of tights and she had been gagged.
Ms Scott's partly clothed body was found a few miles away in a field by the Huntingdon to Coates road, near Haddington. She had also been tied up and strangled.Ms Scott's partly clothed body was found a few miles away in a field by the Huntingdon to Coates road, near Haddington. She had also been tied up and strangled.
After 10 days of evidence, Sinclair's defence team lodged a submission on Friday that there was no case to answer.After 10 days of evidence, Sinclair's defence team lodged a submission on Friday that there was no case to answer.
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.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.
Helen Scott and Christine Eadie were murdered in 1977Helen Scott and Christine Eadie were murdered in 1977
"The question of timing seems to me to be critical."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.""I'm not satisfied what the advocate-depute had to say overcame these difficulties in that respect."
Following the collapse of the trial, Ms MacDonald said just a fifth of the Crown's evidence was led by Mr Mackay.
She said: "It raises very disturbing questions about the way in which the prosecution office worked."
The Crown Office defended the prosecution's tactics, saying it considered there was enough evidence to indict Sinclair for the "appalling" murders.
"There is no doubt that he was involved in events which preceded the deaths of these young women," it said.
"In all trials the prosecutor has a duty continually to consider and review the available evidence, with a view to deciding how best to proceed with the trial."
DNA evidence
The statement said that "low copy, low probability" DNA evidence found on articles of underwear used to bind the victims was not led by the Crown.
"Laying aside this evidence, which was consistent with consensual contact with the victims, the Crown was of the view that there was sufficient evidence on which to base a prosecution," said the statement.
During the case the court heard details of DNA and semen found on a coat belonging to Ms Scott.During the case the court heard details of DNA and semen found on a coat belonging to Ms Scott.
Forensic expert Martin Fairley, based at the Scottish Police Services Authority forensic laboratory in Glasgow, said the chances of the DNA not belonging to Sinclair were a billion to one.Forensic expert Martin Fairley, based at the Scottish Police Services Authority forensic laboratory in Glasgow, said the chances of the DNA not belonging to Sinclair were a billion to one.
Another forensic scientist, Jonathan Whitaker, said other DNA tests provided "compelling evidence" that semen present on both girls came from Mr Hamilton.
Lothian and Borders Police said on Monday they were "disappointed" at the decision.Lothian and Borders Police said on Monday they were "disappointed" at the decision.
A spokesman said: "We put together a thorough and detailed case for the Crown Office to take to trial and Monday's announcement is disappointing.A spokesman said: "We put together a thorough and detailed case for the Crown Office to take to trial and Monday's announcement is disappointing.
"We have no plans to reopen the investigation.""We have no plans to reopen the investigation."