World’s End murder trial jury sent out

Angus Sinclair, 69, denies raping and murdering Christine Eadie and Helen Scott, who were last seen leaving the World’s End pub in Edinburgh on October 15 1977.

Christine’s body was found the following afternoon at Gosford Bay in Aberlady, East Lothian, while Helen’s body was discovered a few hours later in a wheat field near Haddington.

Sinclair is accused of carrying out the attacks with his brother-in-law Gordon Hamilton, who died in 1996.

He denies the charges and has submitted three special defences: incrimination - blaming Hamilton; alibi - saying he was fishing on the banks of the Firth of Forth near Cockenzie power station at the time; and consent to sexual intercourse.

The jury has been listening to evidence in the trial at the High Court in Livingston for five weeks.

Judge Lord Matthews told them that it was their recollection of the evidence that counts and no-one else’s.

He said there was “no dispute” in this case that murder has been committed.

“Both counsel have urged you to take the view that Gordon Hamilton committed the crime, the real issue is whether he committed it on his own,” Lord Matthews said.

He added it was a matter for the jury of nine women and six men to consider all the evidence.

Lord Matthews also told jurors to put any feelings of revulsion or sympathy out of their minds.

He reminded them the burden of proof relied on the Crown and that accused persons are presumed innocent.

The judge will continue giving his legal directions this afternoon.