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Vicky accused 'had dug trenches' Court hears Vicky death details
(about 1 hour later)
The man accused of murdering Vicky Hamilton and burying her body had dug trenches for a living in the 1970s, a court has been told. Schoolgirl Vicky Hamilton may have died as a result of compression to her neck, an expert has told a court.
The High Court in Dundee also heard that a grave found at a house in Margate had been dug professionally. However, pathologist Dr David Rouse said it was not possible to determine precisely the cause of death.
The jury was told that the body found in the garden grave was identified as Vicky's using dental records. The High Court in Dundee also heard that the man accused of murdering the teenager and burying her body had dug trenches for a living in the 1970s.
Mr Tobin denies the abduction and murder of the 15-year-old schoolgirl in Bathgate in 1991. Peter Tobin denies the abduction and murder of the 15-year-old in Bathgate in 1991.
He has lodged a special defence of alibi.He has lodged a special defence of alibi.
'Dug together' Vicky was last seen in Bathgate, West Lothian, on 10 February 1991 as she made her way home to Redding, near Falkirk.
The court heard from an expert from the Construction Industry Training Board, who said the excavation in the garden was professionally dug. Dr Rouse performed a post-mortem examination on Vicky's body after it was dug from the garden of a house in Margate, Kent, last year.
Peter Roles said the layer of concrete in the excavation was what people were taught to do. Vicky, who had been cut in two, was identified by her dental records, the trial heard.
The trial, now in its 11th day, has previously heard that human remains wrapped in bin bags were unearthed last year during an excavation of a garden at 50 Irvine Drive in Margate, Kent. Dr Rouse, a forensic pathologist for 20 years, said: "There are no obvious signs of major blunt or sharp penetrating injury. Apparent bruising of the neck over the front of the spine may indicate death from neck compression.
Simon Nottle told the trial that he worked for Brighton Water Department between 1973 and 1977. "However, the extent of decomposition prevents precise determination of the cause of death."
Vicky Hamilton's body was identified through dental records The court heard the grave had been professionally dug
The job involved general replacement and maintenance work and he had to carry out excavations as part of the work, he told the court. He estimated that death had occurred between 10 and 20 years previously and told solicitor general Frank Mulholland QC, prosecuting, that his findings were consistent with Vicky's disappearance in February 1991.
Solicitor General Frank Mulholland QC, prosecuting, asked the witness whether he had ever worked with a man by the name of Peter Tobin during that time. The trial also heard that Mr Tobin had experience of digging trenches.
Mr Nottle replied that he did and identified Mr Tobin in the dock. Simon Nottle, 53, said he had worked for Brighton Water Department between 1973 and 1977 and Mr Tobin had been part of the same maintenance and repair gang.
"He worked with you in the water board?" Mr Mulholland asked. Mr Nottle pointed out Mr Tobin in court. "We all did the same work, we all dug together," he said.
"Yes, that's correct," the witness answered. The court also heard that the grave in the back garden of 50 Irvine Drive, Margate, where Mr Tobin used to live, had been professionally dug.
"Did he do excavations?" the lawyer went on. Peter Roles, 64, of the Construction Industry Training Board, was shown photos of the hole.
Mr Nottle replied: "Yes, he was part of the team. Yes, we all did the same things. "This is the sort of excavation we teach people to do," he said.
"We all dug together." Mr Roles added that a layer of concrete found during the excavation would prevent the ground sinking if something underneath were to decompose.
ChargesCharges
Vicky was last seen in Bathgate, West Lothian, on 10 February 1991, as she made her way home to Redding, near Falkirk.
Mr Tobin is accused of abducting Vicky and taking her to Robertson Avenue in Bathgate, West Lothian, on 10 February, 1991, which the Crown alleges was then occupied by him.Mr Tobin is accused of abducting Vicky and taking her to Robertson Avenue in Bathgate, West Lothian, on 10 February, 1991, which the Crown alleges was then occupied by him.
The charge also alleges that there or elsewhere he drugged her, struggled with her, compressed her neck, indecently assaulted her and murdered her.The charge also alleges that there or elsewhere he drugged her, struggled with her, compressed her neck, indecently assaulted her and murdered her.
He is also accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.He is also accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
It is alleged that he concealed Vicky's body and removed and disposed of a number of items of her clothing and footwear.It is alleged that he concealed Vicky's body and removed and disposed of a number of items of her clothing and footwear.
He is also accused of cutting her body in two and wrapping it in coverings and bin bags.He is also accused of cutting her body in two and wrapping it in coverings and bin bags.
Then, allegedly aware that police were conducting a missing person's inquiry, Mr Tobin is said to have put Vicky's purse under a portable cabin to mislead police into believing she had run away from home.Then, allegedly aware that police were conducting a missing person's inquiry, Mr Tobin is said to have put Vicky's purse under a portable cabin to mislead police into believing she had run away from home.
Mr Tobin denies all the charges against him and has lodged a special defence of alibi, saying that between 1700 GMT and midnight on 10 February, 1991, he was in the Portsmouth area and was thereafter travelling to Scotland, arriving in Edinburgh at 0630 GMT the following day.Mr Tobin denies all the charges against him and has lodged a special defence of alibi, saying that between 1700 GMT and midnight on 10 February, 1991, he was in the Portsmouth area and was thereafter travelling to Scotland, arriving in Edinburgh at 0630 GMT the following day.
The trial, before Lord Emslie, continues.The trial, before Lord Emslie, continues.