Murder accused lived in victim's garden shed

A STUDENT told a murder trial that she discovered a woman now accused of murdering her mum was living in their garden hut.

"It was weird and creepy," said Kimberley Jarvis, 20.

Ms Jarvis said dad Harry Jarvis tried to lie at first, then told her the woman in the hut was Rita Heyster.

"I imagine she was like his girlfriend," Ms Jarvis told the High Court in Edinburgh.

Heyster, 57, is accused of murdering Kimberley's mum, Carol and hiding the body. She denies the charges and blames Harry Jarvis, 61, for any wrongdoing.

The first day of the trial heard how mum-of-four Carol Jarvis, 47, suffered from ill health and was sometimes forced to use a wheelchair.

Although Harry Jarvis looked after her he often disappeared with women he had contacted through the internet.

Kimberley Jarvis said the last time she spoke to her mum was when she left home in Bathgate, West Lothian, to begin her studies in Dundee. Soon afterwards she heard her mum was missing.

Heyster of Ferguson Way, Livingston, West Lothian, denies murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

It is alleged that between September 11 and September 15 2009 at 6 Balbardie Crescent, Bathgate, West Lothian, she and Harry Jarvis murdered his wife.

Then, it is claimed, they wrapped the dead body in a blanket and hid Mrs Jarvis in the basement of the house.