This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7067824.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Murder trial told of taxi caution | Murder trial told of taxi caution |
(3 days later) | |
A nursery nurse got into a car she had mistaken for a taxi three months before she was killed, a jury has heard. | A nursery nurse got into a car she had mistaken for a taxi three months before she was killed, a jury has heard. |
The incident made Elizabeth McCabe very wary about getting into anything other than a licensed cab after a night out, according to close friend Sandra Niven. | The incident made Elizabeth McCabe very wary about getting into anything other than a licensed cab after a night out, according to close friend Sandra Niven. |
The 49-year-old gave evidence at the trial of Vincent Simpson at the High Court in Edinburgh. | The 49-year-old gave evidence at the trial of Vincent Simpson at the High Court in Edinburgh. |
The former taxi driver denies murdering Miss McCabe, whose body was found in Templeton Woods in Dundee in 1980. | The former taxi driver denies murdering Miss McCabe, whose body was found in Templeton Woods in Dundee in 1980. |
The court heard that Miss McCabe went missing after a night out on 10 February that year. | The court heard that Miss McCabe went missing after a night out on 10 February that year. |
Her body was found 16 days later, on the eve of what would have been her 21st birthday. | Her body was found 16 days later, on the eve of what would have been her 21st birthday. |
She didn't go into great detail but she was very upset when she told me Sandra Niven | She didn't go into great detail but she was very upset when she told me Sandra Niven |
Ms Niven, who worked with Elizabeth, told the jury her friend was careful about getting into taxis following her error, which had happened about three months before she vanished. | Ms Niven, who worked with Elizabeth, told the jury her friend was careful about getting into taxis following her error, which had happened about three months before she vanished. |
She said: "She told me she had got into a car thinking it was a taxi, but obviously it wasn't a taxi, because the driver took her away up the back of beyond. | She said: "She told me she had got into a car thinking it was a taxi, but obviously it wasn't a taxi, because the driver took her away up the back of beyond. |
"She didn't go into great detail but she was very upset when she told me. | "She didn't go into great detail but she was very upset when she told me. |
"She told me the driver of the car let her off in Cupar Angus Road." | "She told me the driver of the car let her off in Cupar Angus Road." |
Asked about the effect on her friend, Ms Niven added: "She wouldn't get in a taxi if it didn't have a light on the top or if the light wasn't lit." | Asked about the effect on her friend, Ms Niven added: "She wouldn't get in a taxi if it didn't have a light on the top or if the light wasn't lit." |
'Shy girl' | 'Shy girl' |
Ms Niven also told the court Miss McCabe had been mistaken for a prostitute shortly before she vanished. | Ms Niven also told the court Miss McCabe had been mistaken for a prostitute shortly before she vanished. |
The friends had laughed about it over coffee the weekend Elizabeth disappeared. | The friends had laughed about it over coffee the weekend Elizabeth disappeared. |
Ms Niven said that Elizabeth was "shocked" about being propositioned in the Oriental bar, and that nothing about her behaviour had justified the approach. | Ms Niven said that Elizabeth was "shocked" about being propositioned in the Oriental bar, and that nothing about her behaviour had justified the approach. |
Elizabeth was a very quiet, shy girl, very family orientated. She loved her family Anne McCabe | Elizabeth was a very quiet, shy girl, very family orientated. She loved her family Anne McCabe |
Vincent Simpson, 61, from Camberley in Surrey denies murder. | Vincent Simpson, 61, from Camberley in Surrey denies murder. |
He is accused of killing Miss McCabe by striking her on the head and compressing her neck. | |
He claims he has an alibi for the night she went missing and has lodged a list of 13 names of men he believes might be to blame for the killing with the court. | He claims he has an alibi for the night she went missing and has lodged a list of 13 names of men he believes might be to blame for the killing with the court. |
The trial heard that Elizabeth had slept with two of the names on the list - her boyfriend, Charles Lamont, and Ms Niven's then boyfriend, Brian Lindsay. | The trial heard that Elizabeth had slept with two of the names on the list - her boyfriend, Charles Lamont, and Ms Niven's then boyfriend, Brian Lindsay. |
Earlier, Elizabeth's mother Anne McCabe, 67, told the trial her daughter was cautious when she went for occasional nights out and would never accept lifts from strangers. | Earlier, Elizabeth's mother Anne McCabe, 67, told the trial her daughter was cautious when she went for occasional nights out and would never accept lifts from strangers. |
Elizabeth McCabe was found dead more than 27 years ago | Elizabeth McCabe was found dead more than 27 years ago |
Mrs McCabe said: "Elizabeth was a very quiet, shy girl, very family orientated. She loved her family. She loved children as well." | Mrs McCabe said: "Elizabeth was a very quiet, shy girl, very family orientated. She loved her family. She loved children as well." |
She said that her daughter hardly went out, until about three or four months before she died. | She said that her daughter hardly went out, until about three or four months before she died. |
She added: "Elizabeth was never a worry. I mean, I didn't worry about her going out you know. She didn't smoke or drink a lot or anything like that." | She added: "Elizabeth was never a worry. I mean, I didn't worry about her going out you know. She didn't smoke or drink a lot or anything like that." |
Mrs McCabe also claimed that her daughter never stayed out all night. | Mrs McCabe also claimed that her daughter never stayed out all night. |
That was challenged by Mr Simpson's defence, who pointed out a discrepancy with the statement she made to police when her daughter disappeared. | That was challenged by Mr Simpson's defence, who pointed out a discrepancy with the statement she made to police when her daughter disappeared. |
It said: "Elizabeth, as a rule, returns home at night but on any occasion when she is staying out she will phone her mother in advance." | It said: "Elizabeth, as a rule, returns home at night but on any occasion when she is staying out she will phone her mother in advance." |
The jury was sent home early after one complained of feeling unwell. | The jury was sent home early after one complained of feeling unwell. |
Judge Lord Kinclaven told them: "It is important that all of your number should be fit and healthy while sitting as jurors so I am going to adjourn this case." | Judge Lord Kinclaven told them: "It is important that all of your number should be fit and healthy while sitting as jurors so I am going to adjourn this case." |
Previous version
1
Next version