Accused 'told brother of killing'

Pieces of Mr Wilson's body were found in the garden

A murder accused confessed to his brother and even asked for advice on cutting up the body, a trial has heard.

Andrew Sutherland told the High Court in Edinburgh that his brother Ian, 33, admitted he had killed Alan Wilson.

The ex-teacher's dismembered body was found in bin bags in a garden in Edinburgh in February.

Ian Sutherland denies strangling Mr Wilson, 51, and has lodged a special defence blaming prosecution witness Tracy Scott for the killing.

Andrew Sutherland said his younger brother told him he would blame either his girlfriend, Ms Scott, or someone Mr Wilson had met for sex on the internet.

Ian Sutherland also spoke of killing "with a smirk on his face," just days before the remains were discovered, it was alleged.

Ex-soldier Andrew said his brother had visited him in Ramsgate, Kent.

Body cut up

Mr Sutherland said that soon after arriving at his house, Ian - who appeared to have been drinking - asked to speak to him alone and said: "I killed somebody."

Ian, who had introduced Ms Scott as his girlfriend, then told Andrew: "She killed somebody," the court heard.

Moments later, according to Andrew, his brother said: "We killed somebody."

Andrew Sutherland told Advocate Depute Keith Stewart, prosecuting, that his brother said he had strangled someone and added: "She told him to cut up the body the body. He said he tried but the smell was making him feel sick."

Andrew said he did not know what to make of it and later asked Ian if it was all true. He told the court the answer was "Yes, with a smirk on his face."

The court heard Alan Wilson had had a relationship with the accused

He said he was questioned by Ian about how long a body could lie without beginning to smell and added: "Ian asked me 'Should I cut the body up?' and I said 'In no circumstances'."

Mr Sutherland went on to describe another conversation as Ian and Ms Scott prepared to return to Edinburgh.

He said Ian told him: "I did not do this, brother. I cannot go down for the rest of my life."

The brothers' tearful mother, Sarah Sutherland, 66, from East Kilbride told the court that she thought Mr Wilson was gay.

Asked about the relationship between him and her son, Ian, she told the court: "I am not daft. I had an idea but it was nothing to do with me anyway.

She added: "It was a sexual relationship between them."

Mr Sutherland denies murdering Mr Wilson at his flat on Merchiston Avenue on 1 February this year, either by strangling him with his hands and a curtain tie-back or some other means unknown.

He also denies a charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by dismembering Mr Wilson after murdering him and disposing of the body parts in the back garden of the house.

At the start of the trial Sutherland lodged a special defence blaming Ms Scott for Mr Wilson's death.

The trial continues.