Jessica McCagh murder trial: Door 'was held shut' to trap girl as she burned to death, court hears

Published on Thursday 26 November 2009 21:40

A TEENAGE girl may have been deliberately trapped in her bedroom by her attacker after she was set on fire, a murder trial has heard.

An expert witness said his scientific findings were "consistent with" the door having been held shut by the 18-year-old accused of her murder.

Independent forensic scientist Andrew Wade, 54, was giving evidence at the trial of Jessica McCagh's boyfriend, Stewart Blackburn.

He admits killing 17-year-old Miss McCagh at his home in Arbroath, Angus, but denies her murder.

Prosecutors allege that Blackburn doused Miss McCagh and a bed in petrol and set her on fire on 25 April this year.

Mr Wade, who has examined more than 1,000 fires, told the High Court in Livingston that he prepared a report on his investigations of Blackburn's flat after the fire.

He said damage found on the handle of the bedroom door was "indicative of mechanical force being applied", for example by the door being pulled from one side.

He told the court, on the eighth day of the trial: "The bedroom door had been closed for the duration of the fire and Jessica McCagh was unable to escape through it."

Mr Wade also told the court that the "severe destruction" of one corner of the bed and the damage in that area was "consistent with ignition of flammable liquid, such as petrol".

He said: "In our view, the fire was the result of ignition of petrol on the clothing of Jessica McCagh and the bed she was sitting on, and this petrol was ignited by a naked flame, such as from a match, cigarette lighter or a lit taper."

Burns to Blackburn's clothing around the legs were consistent with him having been in the area during the fire, he added.

Solicitor General Frank Mulholland, QC, prosecuting, said: "Jessica McCagh is sitting in the corner of the bed. Petrol is poured on her. She is set on fire with the naked flame from a lighter. The fire takes effect. Mr Blackburn then leaves the room, the door is closed and he holds it closed.

"Is that scenario consistent with your findings?" he asked.

Mr Wade replied: "Yes it is."

Mr Mulholland closed the Crown's case yesterday.

Neil Murray, QC, representing Blackburn, told the court he would not be leading any evidence for the defence.

The prosecution finished by presenting a transcript of a court hearing in which Blackburn said he did not mean to throw petrol at his girlfriend.

He told a sheriff it was an accident that the fuel caught fire.

Blackburn told the sheriff in Forfar on 6 May: "I did throw petrol at her, but not intentionally straight over her. I didn't mean it, to throw the petrol at her."

Blackburn said there had been an argument and he "fell out" with Miss McCagh.

"The petrol, when it caught on fire, it was an accident," he said.

The trial will now move to closing speeches for the prosecution and defence.

Lord Bracadale told the jury to return to court on Tuesday next week, when the case will continue.