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Sedative found in Vicky's liver Fingerprints on Vicky's body bag
(30 minutes later)
A sedative drug was found in the body of schoolgirl Vicky Hamilton, a murder trial has heard. The fingerprints of the man accused of murdering Vicky Hamilton were found on a plastic bag containing her upper torso, a court has heard.
A toxicologist told the High Court in Dundee that an unquantified amount of Amitriptyline was found in two samples analysed last year. A fingerprint officer said prints from Peter Tobin's left ring finger, right little finger and right middle finger were found on the black bag.
The court had previously heard that the accused had taken an overdose of Amitriptyline and Triazalam in 1990. The bag was one of several wrapped around the remains of the teenager in the garden of Mr Tobin's former home.
Peter Tobin, 62, denies murdering 15-year-old Vicky in February 1991 and has lodged a special defence of alibi. Mr Tobin, 62, denies murdering the 15-year-old in February 1991.
Liver sample He has lodged a special defence of alibi.
The teenager was last seen in Bathgate, West Lothian, on 10 February 1991 as she made her way home to Redding, near Falkirk. Sedative
The fingerprint evidence was given by James Aitken from the Scottish Police Services Agency.
Vicky was last seen in Bathgate, West Lothian, on 10 February 1991 as she made her way home to Redding, near Falkirk.
Her remains were found in a back garden in Margate, Kent, last year.Her remains were found in a back garden in Margate, Kent, last year.
The High Court in Dundee earlier heard that a sedative drug was found in Vicky's body.
Toxicologist Karen Kerr told the court she carried out tests on samples taken from Vicky's liver and a bruise on her right hand.Toxicologist Karen Kerr told the court she carried out tests on samples taken from Vicky's liver and a bruise on her right hand.
Amitriptyline, an anti-depressant with sedative side effects, was found in both samples.Amitriptyline, an anti-depressant with sedative side effects, was found in both samples.
The jury heard Nortriptyline - a substance produced when Amitriptyline is broken down in the body - was also found.The jury heard Nortriptyline - a substance produced when Amitriptyline is broken down in the body - was also found.
Ms Kerr said the presence of Amitriptyline in the liver indicated it had been ingested.Ms Kerr said the presence of Amitriptyline in the liver indicated it had been ingested.
Bin bags The jury previously heard that Mr Tobin had taken an overdose of Amitriptyline and Triazalam in 1990.
The charges
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.