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Fraser back in jail after appeal | Fraser back in jail after appeal |
(about 11 hours later) | |
A man who appealed against a life jail term for killing his wife has been returned to prison to await the judges' decision in the case. | A man who appealed against a life jail term for killing his wife has been returned to prison to await the judges' decision in the case. |
Nat Fraser, 48, was jailed in 2003 after being found guilty of murdering his wife Arlene. | Nat Fraser, 48, was jailed in 2003 after being found guilty of murdering his wife Arlene. |
Her body was never found after she went missing in Elgin, Moray, in 1998. | Her body was never found after she went missing in Elgin, Moray, in 1998. |
Fraser was on bail while claiming he was the victim of a miscarriage of justice. Judges decided he should go back to jail pending their decision. | Fraser was on bail while claiming he was the victim of a miscarriage of justice. Judges decided he should go back to jail pending their decision. |
The prosecution case had included claims that Fraser placed Arlene's engagement, wedding and eternity rings in the bathroom of her house several days after she vanished. | The prosecution case had included claims that Fraser placed Arlene's engagement, wedding and eternity rings in the bathroom of her house several days after she vanished. |
Evidence has since emerged that two police officers may have seen the rings in Arlene's house shortly after she disappeared. | Evidence has since emerged that two police officers may have seen the rings in Arlene's house shortly after she disappeared. |
He should never have been freed. He was convicted for murder. It was a terrible crime Carol Gillies | |
Fraser's defence claimed he suffered a miscarriage of justice because the advocate depute in the trial made Arlene's rings the "cornerstone" of his case. | Fraser's defence claimed he suffered a miscarriage of justice because the advocate depute in the trial made Arlene's rings the "cornerstone" of his case. |
John Beckett QC, for the Crown, argued other evidence still added up to a compelling case against Fraser. | John Beckett QC, for the Crown, argued other evidence still added up to a compelling case against Fraser. |
His request at the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh that Fraser's bail, granted in May last year, be rescinded was granted on the grounds of public interest. | His request at the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh that Fraser's bail, granted in May last year, be rescinded was granted on the grounds of public interest. |
The judges will deliver a decision on the appeal at a later date. | The judges will deliver a decision on the appeal at a later date. |
Mrs Fraser's father Hector McInnes said he had been surprised by the development. | |
He said: "I knew it would finish today, but the way it finished, it just completely took the wind out of my sails. I wouldn't have believed it." | |
Lengthy appeal | |
Speaking outside the court, he said he hoped Fraser would now remain in jail, but added: "There's no way I'm going pre-judge three judges." | |
Asked how long he thought it would be before the judgment was ready, Mr McInnes, 67, said: "I don't care because Mr Fraser's in jail. He (Lord Gill) can take as long as he likes." | |
Mrs Fraser's sister, Carol Gillies, 44, said she felt "complete and utter shock" after Fraser was sent back to prison. | |
She insisted the convicted killer should not have been released in the first place, adding: "He should never have been freed. He was convicted for murder. It was a terrible crime." | |
Mrs Gillies went on to praise the Crown's QC for his work over the lengthy appeal. | |
She added: "I think John Beckett has done us proud. I just feel indebted to him, I really do. He's put his heart and soul into this and he's just represented us and the family fantastically." |
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