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Drugs 'zombified' Vicky suspect DNA traces found on Vicky purse
(about 6 hours later)
A man said to have claimed responsibility for killing Vicky Hamilton was "almost zombified" by medication, her murder trial has heard. Forensic tests on a purse belonging to Vicky Hamilton uncovered traces of DNA belonging to the son of the man accused of killing her, a court heard.
Hugh Gunn said that his son, also called Hugh, was "badly affected" by the medication he was taking. The High Court in Dundee was told the sample may have come from saliva and was highly likely to be that Peter Tobin's son Daniel Wilson.
The High Court in Dundee has previously heard that Mr Gunn Jnr was questioned by police in connection with the schoolgirl's disappearance. Mr Tobin, 62, denies murdering 15-year-old Vicky in February 1991.
Peter Tobin, 62, denies murdering 15-year-old Vicky in February 1991. He also denies covering up the crime by placing the purse under a portable cabin in St Andrew Square, Edinburgh.
He has lodged a special defence of alibi claiming he was in Portsmouth when she disappeared. Mr Tobin has lodged a special defence of alibi claiming he was in Portsmouth when she disappeared.
Vicky was last seen in Bathgate. Her remains were found in the garden of a house in Margate, Kent, which was was formerly occupied by Mr Tobin.Vicky was last seen in Bathgate. Her remains were found in the garden of a house in Margate, Kent, which was was formerly occupied by Mr Tobin.
I think he was badly affected by the medication he has been given by the mental health people who have dealt with him Hugh Gunn Giving evidence at the start of the fourth week of the trial, DNA expert Nicola Clayson said the amount of DNA recovered from Vicky Hamilton's purse was more than would be expected if the purse was merely touched.
'Dagger-style'
She said the traces were "DNA rich" from a source such as saliva.
Solicitor general Frank Mulholland QC, prosecuting, asked: "So if, for example, Daniel Wilson was three, three and a bit, and given the purse to play with and he puts it in his mouth, would your DNA results be consistent with that hypothesis?"
Ms Clayson told him: "They would."
The trial also heard from forensic scientist Nicola Martin who described the 10-inch weapon found at Peter Tobin's former Bathgate home as "a dagger-style knife".
She said the blade was examined under a microscope in a police lab at Howdenhall in Edinburgh.
"We found a small piece of what appeared to be skin," she said.
The knife was shown to jurors for them to see for themselves the flat of the double-edged blade, near the point, where the tiny piece of tissue was detected.
I think he was badly affected by the medication he has been given by the mental health people who have dealt with him Hugh Gunn Snr Defence QC Donald Findlay questioned the scientist about whether it was, in fact, skin or only appeared to be.
Dr Martin conceded there was no definitive scientific test for skin.
"I have always been of the opinion that it was skin," she told the lawyer.
"I have thought long and hard if it could be anything else but the appearance of it, the texture of it and I am also aware a DNA profile was obtained from it and from all these factors I am happy with the opinion that it was skin."
Earlier the trial had heard about a man said to have claimed responsibility for killing Vicky Hamilton who was "almost zombified" by medication.
Hugh Gunn said that his son, also called Hugh, was "badly affected" by the medication he was taking.
The trial had previously heard that Mr Gunn Jnr was questioned by police in connection with the schoolgirl's disappearance.
Last week the jury heard that a woman, who has since died, claimed Mr Gunn Jnr had told her he had killed Vicky.Last week the jury heard that a woman, who has since died, claimed Mr Gunn Jnr had told her he had killed Vicky.
The woman further claimed Mr Gunn Jnr had acted with the help of the Knights Templar.The woman further claimed Mr Gunn Jnr had acted with the help of the Knights Templar.
Her allegations formed the basis of a police investigation in 2001, the court was told. Her claims formed the basis of a police investigation in 2001, the court was told.
Mr Gunn Snr, 82, told Solicitor-General Frank Mulholland QC, prosecuting, that his son went to art school aged about 18 in around 1978.
The pensioner said it was towards the end of his first year at the art school that his son began to experience mental health problems.
When asked if his son's condition had got better or worse, Mr Gunn Snr said: "I think he was badly affected by the medication he has been given by the mental health people who have dealt with him.
"He was actually almost zombified, my wife said."
Psychiatric ward
Mr Gunn Snr later said that he and his wife, who has since died, were interviewed by police in 2001, as was their son.
He said their son was taken from a psychiatric ward at a hospital in Falkirk to be interviewed.
He also told the prosecutor that his family - including Mr Gunn Jnr - regularly went to his sister-in-law's house for Sunday lunch in 1991.
He agreed with Mr Mulholland that this was a regular activity for his family.
When cross-examined by Donald Findlay QC, for the defence, Mr Gunn Snr described how his son had a talent for "fixing things".
"He was an intellectual, nobody's fool?" asked Mr Findlay.
"He was absolutely excellent," replied Mr Gunn.
The chargesThe 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.