Jenny Methven murder trial: Crown drops three charges against murder accused

THE man accused of murdering Jenny Methven had three charges against him dropped by a court yesterday.

William Kean was acquitted by the judge, Lord Glennies, of attempting to pervert the course of justice and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

He was also cleared of stealing £15,000 from Mrs Methven’s home in Forteviot, Perthshire, on 14 September, 2011.

Kean now only faces the murder charge which he denies.

Earlier the High Court in Glasgow heard from Detective Superintendent Colin Lorimer, who was the inquiry officer.

He was asked by defence QC Brian McConnachie if the police had information that suggested Mrs Methven’s son, David, may be linked to criminal activity.

Mr McConnachie showed Det Sgt Lorimer a police document and asked: “Does it say it is suspected that Mr Methven may have been a victim of crime or under threat from Strathclyde-based high-level criminality?”

Mr Lorimer said: “That related to Anthony Jamieson who Mr Methven phoned on 21 February.

Mr McConnachie asked the detective: “What was your understanding of Mr Jamieson’s connection to high-level criminality?”

He told the court that some intelligence appeared to link him to a known criminal.

Det Sgt Lorimer was then asked by Advocate depute Alex Prentice QC if a person could know someone and not realise they were involved in criminality and he agreed.

Mr Prentice then asked: “Did you find a link to criminal activity?”

The policeman said: “There is no link.”

Earlier Mr Methven, who is a contractor, had told the court he did some work for Mr Jamieson and they then became friends.

When he began his evidence, Det Sgt Lorimer had a briefcase containing £105,000 placed before him.

The jury heard that this was the bulk of the £159,000 found in the Methven’s house. The briefcase was found in a locked cupboard in the living room.

Police also found cash in a freezer and in other parts of the house.

Detective Superintendent William Semple, who led the murder inquiry, was asked by Mr Prentice if old ladies in their 80’s were usually targeted by criminals and he replied: “Not in Scotland. It would be most unusual to target an old lady, in my experience.”

Earlier the jury was read extracts from interviews with Kean which took place at police headquarters in Perth. In the interviews Det Sgt Smith asked Kean: “Did you murder Jenny Methven,” and he replied: “No, I did not.”

The detective said: “Were you in her house?” and Kean replied: “No comment.”

Kean was then asked: “Why do you not want to comment,” and he said: “No comment.”

He was asked if he knew who was responsible for Mrs Methven’s death and said: “No, but I wish I did. I wish someone would admit it.”

Kean was then asked: “If I tell you there was a partial profile of your DNA which was recovered from the wrist of Jenny Methven what would you say?” He replied: “I’d be gobsmacked. I never murdered Mrs Methven.”

The trial before Lord Glennie continues.