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James Dunleavy accused of beheading his mother Philomena | James Dunleavy accused of beheading his mother Philomena |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A man has gone on trial accused of beheading and dismembering his mother then burying her on an Edinburgh hill. | A man has gone on trial accused of beheading and dismembering his mother then burying her on an Edinburgh hill. |
James Dunleavy, also known as Seamus Dunleavy, denies battering to death Philomena, 66, of Marino, Dublin between 30 April and 7 May last year. | James Dunleavy, also known as Seamus Dunleavy, denies battering to death Philomena, 66, of Marino, Dublin between 30 April and 7 May last year. |
He also denies attempting to defeat the ends of justice by trying to cover up the alleged murder and destroy evidence. | He also denies attempting to defeat the ends of justice by trying to cover up the alleged murder and destroy evidence. |
Mr Dunleavy, 40, had been living in a flat in Edinburgh's Balgreen Road. | Mr Dunleavy, 40, had been living in a flat in Edinburgh's Balgreen Road. |
The murder charge alleges that it was there that he inflicted "blunt force trauma" by means unknown, compressed his mother's throat and cut off her head and legs. | The murder charge alleges that it was there that he inflicted "blunt force trauma" by means unknown, compressed his mother's throat and cut off her head and legs. |
A second charge accuses Mr Dunleavy of pretending his mother was unwell and had returned to Ireland. | A second charge accuses Mr Dunleavy of pretending his mother was unwell and had returned to Ireland. |
The charge further alleges that he put his mother's torso, severed legs and head into a suitcase and took the dismembered body to Corstorphine Hill where he buried her. | The charge further alleges that he put his mother's torso, severed legs and head into a suitcase and took the dismembered body to Corstorphine Hill where he buried her. |
Prosecutors also claim that Mr Dunleavy vacuumed and washed his flat to remove blood stains and set fire to a bed and mattress. | Prosecutors also claim that Mr Dunleavy vacuumed and washed his flat to remove blood stains and set fire to a bed and mattress. |
Skull find | |
A cyclist told the court how he found teeth and a skull in a woodland clearing. | |
Aaron McLean-Foreman, a 24-year-old professional ski instructor, had been in Edinburgh city centre and had borrowed his father's bike to cycle to his home in the East Craigs area of the city. | |
The Corstorphine Hill nature reserve was slightly out of his way, he said. | |
"I did not mind the detour and enjoying the sunny weather," he said, adding: "I decided to have a break in the sunshine and relax and enjoy the fine weather". | |
It was then he spotted teeth and a skull nearby. | |
He said: "I have seen a fair share of sheep skulls and deer skulls while walking in the hills. I wanted to believe that was what I was looking at - but it was fairly clear that was not what I was looking at." | |
Mr McLean-Foreman took a photo so that he could lead police back to the spot, and then left. | |
"I believe I went into a state something like shock," he said. | |
The trial at the High Court in Edinburgh continues. | The trial at the High Court in Edinburgh continues. |
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