This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/north_east/7361103.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Fraser loses Arlene murder appeal | Fraser loses Arlene murder appeal |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Nat Fraser has lost his appeal against a life jail term for killing his wife Arlene. | Nat Fraser has lost his appeal against a life jail term for killing his wife Arlene. |
| The 48-year-old was jailed in 2003 after being found guilty of murdering the 33-year-old. | The 48-year-old was jailed in 2003 after being found guilty of murdering the 33-year-old. |
| The mother-of-two went missing in Elgin, Moray, in April 1998. Her body has never been found. | The mother-of-two went missing in Elgin, Moray, in April 1998. Her body has never been found. |
| Arlene's relatives cried and hugged each other at the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh as the decision was announced. Fraser showed no emotion. | Arlene's relatives cried and hugged each other at the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh as the decision was announced. Fraser showed no emotion. |
| READ IN FULL Summary of appeal by Nat Gordon Fraser [126KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | |
| Last year his defence team claimed that Fraser had been the victim of a miscarriage of justice. | Last year his defence team claimed that Fraser had been the victim of a miscarriage of justice. |
| The prosecution case had included claims Arlene's engagement, wedding and eternity rings were placed in the bathroom of her house several days after she vanished. | The prosecution case had included claims Arlene's engagement, wedding and eternity rings were placed in the bathroom of her house several days after she vanished. |
| Evidence later emerged that two police officers may have seen the rings in Arlene's house shortly after she disappeared. | Evidence later emerged that two police officers may have seen the rings in Arlene's house shortly after she disappeared. |
| However, the appeal judges said the original evidence against Fraser was overwhelming. | However, the appeal judges said the original evidence against Fraser was overwhelming. |
| Lord Gill said: "The circumstantial evidence alone constituted a compelling case against the appellant." | Lord Gill said: "The circumstantial evidence alone constituted a compelling case against the appellant." |
| Fraser was led away, carrying a notebook, to begin the remainder of his sentence. | Fraser was led away, carrying a notebook, to begin the remainder of his sentence. |
| Grampian Police Assistant Chief Constable Jim Stephen said: "Today's result means that Nat Fraser will continue to pay for his crime. This must be a source of comfort to Arlene's family who have had to endure considerable pain and anxiety throughout the appeal period. Nat Fraser was jailed in 2003 after Arlene's 1998 disappearance | Grampian Police Assistant Chief Constable Jim Stephen said: "Today's result means that Nat Fraser will continue to pay for his crime. This must be a source of comfort to Arlene's family who have had to endure considerable pain and anxiety throughout the appeal period. Nat Fraser was jailed in 2003 after Arlene's 1998 disappearance |
| "Their support for Grampian Police has been unstinting and their patience and strength have been quite remarkable. We hope that in some way today's verdict will help them close one traumatic chapter of their lives. | "Their support for Grampian Police has been unstinting and their patience and strength have been quite remarkable. We hope that in some way today's verdict will help them close one traumatic chapter of their lives. |
| "This outcome recognises the hard work and commitment of the Arlene Fraser inquiry team, which demonstrated, throughout, a commendable level of determination and professionalism in the face of a difficult and complex investigation." | |
| Scotland's Solicitor General, Frank Mulholland QC, said: "I am pleased that the Appeal Court has today upheld Nat Fraser's conviction for the murder of his wife Arlene. | Scotland's Solicitor General, Frank Mulholland QC, said: "I am pleased that the Appeal Court has today upheld Nat Fraser's conviction for the murder of his wife Arlene. |
| "This was an appalling crime and the decision of the Appeal Court will be a small comfort to Arlene's family that justice has been done. Our thoughts remain with Arlene's family at this time." | "This was an appalling crime and the decision of the Appeal Court will be a small comfort to Arlene's family that justice has been done. Our thoughts remain with Arlene's family at this time." |
| The appeal decision came just a few days after the 10th anniversary of Arlene's disappearance. | The appeal decision came just a few days after the 10th anniversary of Arlene's disappearance. |
| The wife and mother had waved her two young children, Jamie and Natalie, off to primary school on 28 April, 1998. | |
| Hunt for truth | |
| Her husband appealed for her to get in touch, but was later charged. He had a previous conviction for assaulting her. | |
| Over the next decade, the case of her disappearance continued to capture the public's imagination as relatives and police sought the truth. | |
| The trial began early in January, 2003. | |
| It heard claims that Arlene's husband had hired a hit man to kill her, and then burned her body and ground up the remains. | |
| He denied any involvement, however the jury found Fraser guilty of murder and he was jailed for a minimum of 25 years. | |
| The case came to appeal in 2007. |