Murder trial hears from drug addict

The Chhokar trial is at the High Court in Glasgow

A drug addict has said he was told who murdered an Indian waiter in Lanarkshire two years ago.

At the High Court in Glasgow, Joseph Buchanan agreed he told police that Sandra Tierney said it was her former boyfriend Ronnie Coulter who "did the stabbing".

Mr Buchanan was giving evidence in the trial of David Montgomery, 23, and Andrew Coulter, 19, who deny murdering Mr Chhokar in Overtown on 4 November 1998.

The charge alleges that they acted along with 32-year-old Ronnie Coulter.

The scene of Mr Chhokar's death

Both accused have lodged special defences, blaming him for the murder.

Mr Buchanan said he was having a brief affair with Ms Tierney at the time of Mr Chhokar's death.

She asked him to help her get rid of a bag of rubbish, he told the court. Later, he found it contained clothing and a box of knives.

He said she thought a bat had been used, but that Ronnie Coulter had done the stabbing.

Five days after the death, Mr Buchanan phoned the police. He took them to a country road near Viewpark and showed them where he had thrown the bag.

The dead man's family outside court

Questioned by Sean Murphy, prosecuting, he said because of the drugs his memory was hazy but what he had told the police the truth.

Andrew Coulter also denies stealing a giro cheque and a cooker from Mr Chhokar on the day of his death and cashing the cheque.

Detective Sergeant David Aitchison read a transcript of an interview with Andrew Coulter.

The accused said : "What am I wanting to assault him for?"

He also said Mr Chhokar asked him to cash a giro for him, and that he could keep £20 from it.

The trial before Lord Bonomy continues.