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Body-in-ditch accused 'giggled' Body-in-ditch accused 'giggled'
(about 13 hours later)
A man accused of murdering an elderly woman giggled as he described burying her body, his murder trial heard.A man accused of murdering an elderly woman giggled as he described burying her body, his murder trial heard.
It was alleged former French Foreign Legionnaire John Lawson said: "I buried her in a shallow grave. It was just like we dug in the army."It was alleged former French Foreign Legionnaire John Lawson said: "I buried her in a shallow grave. It was just like we dug in the army."
Prison officer Nicola Hunter told the High Court in Edinburgh how she had overheard the conversation while on duty in Perth Prison.Prison officer Nicola Hunter told the High Court in Edinburgh how she had overheard the conversation while on duty in Perth Prison.
Mr Lawson denies murdering 87-year-old Dolina MacLean.Mr Lawson denies murdering 87-year-old Dolina MacLean.
Mr Lawson was in the prison after being accused of murdering retired nurse Miss MacLean.Mr Lawson was in the prison after being accused of murdering retired nurse Miss MacLean.
He was said to have abducted her from a Tesco car park in Perth and forced her to drive along lonely country roads before ordering her out of her green Astra.He was said to have abducted her from a Tesco car park in Perth and forced her to drive along lonely country roads before ordering her out of her green Astra.
CCTV camerasCCTV cameras
Ms Hunter said she approached Mr Lawson's cell on her rounds to check through the spy hole in the door that all was in order.Ms Hunter said she approached Mr Lawson's cell on her rounds to check through the spy hole in the door that all was in order.
She overheard "loud giggling and laughing and conversation between two prisoners".She overheard "loud giggling and laughing and conversation between two prisoners".
The other prisoner said something and then Mr Lawson made his reply about the shallow grave, she said.The other prisoner said something and then Mr Lawson made his reply about the shallow grave, she said.
Earlier, the court heard that the abduction of retired nurse Miss MacLean was caught on CCTV cameras.Earlier, the court heard that the abduction of retired nurse Miss MacLean was caught on CCTV cameras.
Det Con David Macleod said officers investigating her disappearance saw her car being driven from a Perth car park last May.Det Con David Macleod said officers investigating her disappearance saw her car being driven from a Perth car park last May.
Ms MacLean's body was eventually discovered in June. Dolina MacLean's body was found buried in woods in PerthshireMs MacLean's body was eventually discovered in June.
At the end of the Crown case on Tuesday, defence QC Gordon Jackson said Mr Lawson would not be giving evidence.At the end of the Crown case on Tuesday, defence QC Gordon Jackson said Mr Lawson would not be giving evidence.
Mr Lawson is accused of getting into Ms MacLean's car at the supermarket car park in Crieff Road, Perth, on 30 May last year and demanding that she drive off, placing her in a state of "fear, alarm and distress".Mr Lawson is accused of getting into Ms MacLean's car at the supermarket car park in Crieff Road, Perth, on 30 May last year and demanding that she drive off, placing her in a state of "fear, alarm and distress".
Dolina MacLean's body was found buried in woods in PerthshireThe charge alleges that the accused later ordered her to swap seats and drove the car to a farm lane in Moneydie in Perthshire. The charge alleges that the accused later ordered her to swap seats and drove the car to a farm lane in Moneydie in Perthshire.
It is alleged he assaulted the pensioner and tried to force her to walk up a woodland path "for a purpose unknown".It is alleged he assaulted the pensioner and tried to force her to walk up a woodland path "for a purpose unknown".
Mr Lawson is then said to have dragged and carried her to Saddlebrae Wood, where he abandoned the unconscious or dead woman.Mr Lawson is then said to have dragged and carried her to Saddlebrae Wood, where he abandoned the unconscious or dead woman.
The indictment accuses Mr Lawson of failing to get medical help and having a "wicked and reckless disregard" for the consequences of his actions.The indictment accuses Mr Lawson of failing to get medical help and having a "wicked and reckless disregard" for the consequences of his actions.
A second charge alleges that between 30 May and 6 June Mr Lawson returned to the wood, where he picked up her body and drove to Knowehead Woodland, near Dunning.A second charge alleges that between 30 May and 6 June Mr Lawson returned to the wood, where he picked up her body and drove to Knowehead Woodland, near Dunning.
It is claimed that he put the pensioner's body into a drainage ditch and hid it with soil and other debris.It is claimed that he put the pensioner's body into a drainage ditch and hid it with soil and other debris.
The trial continues.The trial continues.