Suzie McGuire trial: Daughter was ‘conditioned’

THE estranged husband of former Clyde 1 DJ Suzie McGuire today told a jury he believes she “conditioned” her daughter who gave evidence against him.
Suzi McGuire arrives at court. Picture: Mike Gibbons/SpindriftSuzi McGuire arrives at court. Picture: Mike Gibbons/Spindrift
Suzi McGuire arrives at court. Picture: Mike Gibbons/Spindrift

Derek Mitchell, 35, claimed he thought Millie Ross’ evidence was affected by her mother before coming to court.

He also said he believed Millie, ten, and her younger sister Daisy, eight, had both been “manipulated”.

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He told Paisley Sheriff Court that an earlier comment by Miss McGuire that their three-year-old son had said his dad was going to shoot her, was a “disgusting comment”.

Mitchell was giving evidence for a third day at the court where he faces a breach of the peace charge, breach of bail and four assault charges.

Under cross-examination by procurator fiscal depute Amanda Gallagher he alleged witnesses - including singer Michelle McManus and Miss McGuire’s mother, Sheila Johnston - lied in parts of their evidence.

Miss Gallagher put to him: “Daisy Ross came in to court and lied” and he replied: “I believe she was manipulated.”

When asked about Millie Ross he said: “Again, manipulated”.

The prosecutor questioned Mitchell about an alleged assault on Pulnoon Street after the Eaglesham fair in May 2011.

Mitchell is alleged to have demanded car keys and bent his wife’s finger back, breaking it, in front of Millie and Daisy.

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He claims he took hold of Miss McGuire’s hand to calm her down after she punched him twice on the head and was going to hit him again, because she was “furious” he hadn’t watched the girls dancing at the fair.

Miss Gallagher asked: “You deny you walked up that road angrily.” Mitchell replied: “Yes”.

She continued: “Was Millie Ross either mistaken or lying about that?” Mitchell answered: “Manipulated”.

He added: “I would imagine she has been conditioned by her mother.”

Mitchell told the court he vandalised Miss McGuire’s car after reading a story in a newspaper about her allegedly having an affair with a footballer.

It was claimed in April 2010 Miss McGuire had an affair with former Celtic player Marc Crosas.

He was asked if he thought about the effect the story would have on Miss McGuire who he considered to be his girlfriend at the time and said: “I believed it was true. Strongly.”

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He added: “I was so consumed by the effect that it had on me.”

Miss Gallagher suggested to him that he acts in a “destructive manner” when he sees something he doesn’t like.

She put to him that he didn’t like what he read in the newspaper and acted in such a way and he replied: “On that instance yes.”

When questioned about alleged assaults at Marr Hall, in Bishopton in September 2011 Mitchell denied “seizing” Miss McGuire by the arm and said he took her by the arm.

He also denied calling her a slut as was claimed by Miss McGuire and Miss McManus, and said he “pleaded with her to behave in a more respectful way”.

Miss Gallagher put to him: “She wasn’t behaving like a respectful wife.”

Mitchell replied: “She was behaving like a drunk

He was asked if she was behaving “like a respectful wife”, he replied: “No”.

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While being questioned by defence laywer Billy Lavelle, Mitchell said he had no knowledge of police or social work stopping him from seeing his children, as the court heard in earlier evidence.

Mr Lavelle said to his client: “Suzie Mitchell said at the end of her evidence that Oliver, your son said to her ‘Daddy is going to shoot mummy’. Your three-year-old son. You heard that evidence?”

Mitchell replied: “Yes.”

Mr Lavelle asked: “What do you say to that?”

The dad-of-two replied: “I think it’s a disgusting comment to make. Completely untrue.”

When asked if he had said anything like that to his son or in front of his son he told the jury: “No, it’s a tragedy it even came up.”

Mitchell denies the charges and the trial before sheriff Susan Sinclair continues.

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