Murder trial hears of 'extensive' police search

AN EXTENSIVE police search of a murder accused's home failed to find the jacket he was seen wearing or the rucksack he was carrying hours before radio presenter Nasim Jamil died, a court was told yesterday

Detective Constable Scott Bruce told the High Court in Glasgow yesterday that he and seven colleagues searched Khalid Sarwar's home in Circus Place, Dennistoun, at 7am on 18 December last year.

He was giving evidence at the trial of Khalid Sarwar, 29, who denies murdering 54-year-old Awaz FM agony aunt Nasim Jamil in her flat in Byres Road, Glasgow, on 9 December last year.

DC Bruce told prosecutor Dorothy Bain, QC, they were briefed to look for the jacket and rucksack Sarwar was wearing when seen on CCTV footage. DC Bruce was asked by Ms Bain: "Did you recover the rucksack or the jacket?" and he replied: "No."

Defence QC Donald Findlay asked DC Bruce: "This was a fairly extensive search?" and he replied: "I would say so."

The jury also heard that in a wardrobe in Sarwar's bedroom, a locked safe containing two mobile phones and a gold-coloured bracelet was found.

Sarwar is also charged with theft. He denies all charges. The trial continues.