Witness collapse halts trial

The hill is a popular beauty spot

A teenage girl has collapsed in the witness box while giving evidence at a murder trial.

Robbie McIntosh, 16, is accused of killing Anne Nicoll, a 34-year-old civil servant, as she walked her dog on the Law Hill in Dundee last year.

The 15-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was giving evidence at the High Court in Forfar when she suddenly slumped to the floor and had to be carried out by court officials.

Anne Nicoll set out to walk her dog

Ms Nicoll was stabbed to death at the popular recreation spot in August.

The Airedale terrier she was walking was found by Miss Nicoll's boyfriend, Gordon McKenzie, and it led him to the spot where her body lay in thick undergrowth.

The witness said she had seen Mr McIntosh about an hour after the murder happened and noticed he had a mark on his jacket and red cheeks.

Advocate depute Brian McConnachie, prosecuting, asked: "Was it usual for him to have red cheeks?"

At that point the girl collapsed and trial judge Lord Bonomy adjourned the sitting.

Mr McIntosh, whose address was given as Rossie School in Rossie, near Montrose, pleads not guilty to killing Miss Nicoll, of Byron Street, Dundee, by stabbing her with a knife or similar instrument and stamping on her face.

His lawyers have lodged a special defence of incrimination against the charge, blaming another teenager for the murder.