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World's End girls died in minutes World's End father gives evidence
(about 3 hours later)
Two teenage murder victims took minutes to die, the World's End murder trial has heard. The father of one of the World's End murder victims has told a court of the moment he heard his daughter was dead.
A pathologist who investigated the deaths of Christine Eadie and Helen Scott 30 years ago said the pair had been strangled. Morain Scott said he and his late wife became increasingly concerned when his daughter Helen failed to return from a night out in Edinburgh 30 years ago.
The High Court in Edinburgh has heard that the bodies were found in separate locations in East Lothian the day after they left the city's World's End pub. The High Court in Edinburgh heard that police went to their home with Helen's coat. Later, Mr Scott had to identify his daughter's body.
Angus Sinclair, 62, denies raping and murdering the two 17-year-olds. Angus Sinclair has denied raping and murdering Ms Scott and Christine Eadie.
Professor John Mason, who took part in the post-mortem examinations of the two girls, told the court that both girls died as a result of ligatures tied around their necks. Mr Scott told the court that his wife's health had subsequently gone downhill, she had never been the same person again and had died in 1989.
'Vague feeling' Separate locations
Margaret Craig, Christine Eadie's mother, also appeared as a witness.
She said the last occasion on which she had seen her daughter was on the Thursday morning before the Saturday night she went missing in October 1977.
The two girls, both aged 17, were last seen at the World's End pub in Edinburgh's Royal Mile.
Their bodies were found in separate locations in East Lothian the next day.
Earlier, the trial heard from pathologist Professor John Mason, who took part in the post-mortem examinations of the two girls.
He said both girls died as a result of ligatures tied around their necks and took "minutes" to die.
Do you agree professor that in the 21st Century DNA world things would be different? Edgar Prais QC
While being questioned by defence agent Edgar Prais QC, the 87-year-old former Edinburgh University professor of forensic medicine said he was unable to give a precise length of time it took for the girls to die.While being questioned by defence agent Edgar Prais QC, the 87-year-old former Edinburgh University professor of forensic medicine said he was unable to give a precise length of time it took for the girls to die.
However, he agreed with Mr Prais that Ms Scott's death "didn't happen with the click of a finger".However, he agreed with Mr Prais that Ms Scott's death "didn't happen with the click of a finger".
"All I can say is that I would have to measure that in a matter of minutes," the witness said."All I can say is that I would have to measure that in a matter of minutes," the witness said.
Discussing Ms Eadie's death, Prof Mason said he had a "vague feeling" that she took less time to die.Discussing Ms Eadie's death, Prof Mason said he had a "vague feeling" that she took less time to die.
However, he added: "It would still probably be reckoned in terms of minutes rather than seconds."However, he added: "It would still probably be reckoned in terms of minutes rather than seconds."
Do you agree professor that in the 21st Century DNA world things would be different? Edgar Prais QC
Prof Mason was also asked a number of questions about the methods used by pathologists at the time of the deaths, including the use of gloves and thermometers on more than one body.Prof Mason was also asked a number of questions about the methods used by pathologists at the time of the deaths, including the use of gloves and thermometers on more than one body.
"Do you agree professor that in the 21st Century DNA world things would be different?" Mr Prais asked."Do you agree professor that in the 21st Century DNA world things would be different?" Mr Prais asked.
"Everything would be different," the witness said."Everything would be different," the witness said.
Mr Prais went on to say: "If I was asking these questions in 1977 you would send for a psychiatrist for me, because they wouldn't make sense?"
Citing the sci-fi film of that year, Prof Mason said: "I would put you in Star Wars."
Mr Sinclair has been accused of acting alongside his now deceased brother-in-law, Gordon Hamilton in raping and murdering the girls after forcing them into a vehicle near the pub in the Royal Mile.Mr Sinclair has been accused of acting alongside his now deceased brother-in-law, Gordon Hamilton in raping and murdering the girls after forcing them into a vehicle near the pub in the Royal Mile.
Mr Sinclair will issue a special defence that any sexual contact with the girls was consensual and may put forward evidence blaming his late brother-in-law for any wrongdoing.Mr Sinclair will issue a special defence that any sexual contact with the girls was consensual and may put forward evidence blaming his late brother-in-law for any wrongdoing.