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Lynda Spence trial: Witness makes body disposal claims Lynda Spence trial: Witness makes body disposal claims
(about 3 hours later)
The Lynda Spence murder trial has heard that one of the four accused admitted killing a man and chopping up his body.The Lynda Spence murder trial has heard that one of the four accused admitted killing a man and chopping up his body.
Lee Winyard, 41, told the High Court in Glasgow that he was visited by Philip Wade and Colin Coats while on holiday in Argyll during April 2011.Lee Winyard, 41, told the High Court in Glasgow that he was visited by Philip Wade and Colin Coats while on holiday in Argyll during April 2011.
He claimed Mr Wade told him that he had killed a man and wanted help to dispose of the dismembered body.He claimed Mr Wade told him that he had killed a man and wanted help to dispose of the dismembered body.
Mr Coats, Mr Wade, David Parker and Paul Smith deny abducting, torturing and murdering Ms Spence in April 2011.Mr Coats, Mr Wade, David Parker and Paul Smith deny abducting, torturing and murdering Ms Spence in April 2011.
The four men are charged with killing the 27-year-old financial advisor at a flat in West Kilbride.The four men are charged with killing the 27-year-old financial advisor at a flat in West Kilbride.
During his evidence, Mr Winyard told Solicitor General Lesley Thomson QC, prosecuting, that he was on holiday in Argyllshire on 29 April 2011 when he was visited by Mr Wade and Mr Coats.During his evidence, Mr Winyard told Solicitor General Lesley Thomson QC, prosecuting, that he was on holiday in Argyllshire on 29 April 2011 when he was visited by Mr Wade and Mr Coats.
The witness said Mr Wade had phoned him the previous night and asked if he could come down for a visit.The witness said Mr Wade had phoned him the previous night and asked if he could come down for a visit.
'Bit of bother''Bit of bother'
He said he got a phone call about 10am at the caravan where he was staying at Ardlamont and drove to meet Mr Coats and Mr Wade at a cafe in Tighnabruaich.He said he got a phone call about 10am at the caravan where he was staying at Ardlamont and drove to meet Mr Coats and Mr Wade at a cafe in Tighnabruaich.
After chatting, they all got into Mr Winyard's Jeep and headed for his caravan, which was down by the beach.After chatting, they all got into Mr Winyard's Jeep and headed for his caravan, which was down by the beach.
He was asked if he was given any reason for the visit and told the court: "Phil said there had been a bit of bother the night before - some guys had been sent to get him.He was asked if he was given any reason for the visit and told the court: "Phil said there had been a bit of bother the night before - some guys had been sent to get him.
"There was a number of guys, but one was left to guard him while the others went to get Colin."There was a number of guys, but one was left to guard him while the others went to get Colin.
"Phil said he managed to get the guy off guard and cracked him with a baseball bat and then finished him off with a hammer...then he said he chopped him up. I didn't believe it and I thought it was some kind of prank.""Phil said he managed to get the guy off guard and cracked him with a baseball bat and then finished him off with a hammer...then he said he chopped him up. I didn't believe it and I thought it was some kind of prank."
Mr Winyard told the court that he was also asked if they could go out on his father's boat and, when he said the offshore wind conditions would make it impossible to row out to it, they asked to use his boat.Mr Winyard told the court that he was also asked if they could go out on his father's boat and, when he said the offshore wind conditions would make it impossible to row out to it, they asked to use his boat.
"I told them it was in Kilbirnie," he said."I told them it was in Kilbirnie," he said.
The court heard that Mr Winyard was then asked if they could get a boat elsewhere and he told them they would not get a motor boat but might get a rowing boat.The court heard that Mr Winyard was then asked if they could get a boat elsewhere and he told them they would not get a motor boat but might get a rowing boat.
Mr Winyard went on: "He (Mr Wade) said: 'Listen, we could really do with going out in a boat. We have got something to get rid off.'Mr Winyard went on: "He (Mr Wade) said: 'Listen, we could really do with going out in a boat. We have got something to get rid off.'
"I thought are they kidding me or is this serious? I was like, 'this is not right'."I thought are they kidding me or is this serious? I was like, 'this is not right'.
'Freaked out''Freaked out'
"Phil also asked if I had work boots and a shovel. That freaked me out. I was on holiday with my daughter and my friend and that happened. I was like, 'I want these guys away'.""Phil also asked if I had work boots and a shovel. That freaked me out. I was on holiday with my daughter and my friend and that happened. I was like, 'I want these guys away'."
Ms Thomson asked: "What did you think you were being asked to do?" He replied: "To dispose of a body."Ms Thomson asked: "What did you think you were being asked to do?" He replied: "To dispose of a body."
He said he said he did not have boots or a shovel and added: "I had wellies and a shovel for disposing of the chemical waste, but I wasn't giving them it."He said he said he did not have boots or a shovel and added: "I had wellies and a shovel for disposing of the chemical waste, but I wasn't giving them it."
The court was told that, during the visit, Mr Wade did most of the talking.The court was told that, during the visit, Mr Wade did most of the talking.
Mr Winyard said, however, that, at one point, Mr Coats said - referring to the man Mr Wade claimed to have killed -"He's got a big head."Mr Winyard said, however, that, at one point, Mr Coats said - referring to the man Mr Wade claimed to have killed -"He's got a big head."
The witness said he drove Mr Coats and Mr Wade back to their car, which he said was a silver Astra.The witness said he drove Mr Coats and Mr Wade back to their car, which he said was a silver Astra.
This is the same make and colour as the car that was hired on behalf of Ms Spence by a friend days before her disappearance.This is the same make and colour as the car that was hired on behalf of Ms Spence by a friend days before her disappearance.
Mr Winyard was asked if the car had rung a bell with him when police put a CID card and a flyer about the disappearance through his door and he replied: "At the time, no, I didn't think much of it."Mr Winyard was asked if the car had rung a bell with him when police put a CID card and a flyer about the disappearance through his door and he replied: "At the time, no, I didn't think much of it."
The witness said that, before contacting the police, he phoned Mr Wade and then went to meet him.The witness said that, before contacting the police, he phoned Mr Wade and then went to meet him.
He said he told Mr Wade about the police wanting to interview him and claimed he was told: "Tell them I was there, but don't tell them you seen the car because Colin will put a bullet through your head."He said he told Mr Wade about the police wanting to interview him and claimed he was told: "Tell them I was there, but don't tell them you seen the car because Colin will put a bullet through your head."
'More than acquaintances'
Mr Winyard said at this point he was "worried".Mr Winyard said at this point he was "worried".
Under cross-examination by Gary Allan QC, defending Mr Wade, it was suggested to Mr Winyard that he was mistaken and that the car he saw was not a Vauxhall Astra, but a Daewoo.
Mr Allan added: "The police told you they had found your fingerprints on the Vauxhall Astra - a car which has never been found," and he replied: "Yes."
Mr Winyard denied making up all the conversations he attributed to Mr Wade and said he and the accused were "more than just acquaintances" and had known each other for years.
The witness was asked why he did not tell the police about Mr Wade and Mr Coats and the body until he had given his sixth police statement and he claimed he feared for his life and that of his young daughter.
Derek Ogg QC, representing Mr Coats, said to Mr Winyard: "The police had lied to you and threatened you saying they had your fingerprints on the Astra," and he replied: "They did, yes."
He was asked if he had noticed anything special about the Astra and replied: "I know there was meant to be a broken wing mirror, but I didn't notice it on the car. I thought they must have the car when they said my fingerprints was on it."
Mr Ogg then said: "The only time Colin Coats mentioned the size of your head was banter when he said it was like a 50 bob cabbage," and Mr Winyard replied: "I don't recall it. I know when my head was mentioned."
The QC then asked: "Did you say when you told Philip Wade how heavy the police were being he said they should spend their time looking for Lynda Spence," and he said: "He did, yes."
Mr Ogg then asked: "One thing that runs through like a golden thread was the presumption when Mr Wade was talking to you that Lynda Spence was alive and well at the time," and Mr Winyard said: "Yes."
The trial before Lord Pentland continues.The trial before Lord Pentland continues.