Murder accused's car was scrapped

Helen Scott and Christine Eadie went missing in 1977

The trial of a man who allegedly murdered two women 30 years ago hears that the car he owned at the time was destroyed in the 1990s.

Angus Sinclair, 62, is accused of raping and murdering Christine Eadie, 17, and Helen Scott, 17, in 1977.

The pair were found dead the day after they visited the city's World's End pub. Mr Sinclair denies the charges.

The court on Monday heard evidence about a Toyota Hiace caravanette, which was formerly owned by Mr Sinclair.

Det Con Carol Craig told the trial that the accused owned the vehicle in 1977.

But when advocate depute Alan Mackay asked her if she had been able to locate it she told him the vehicle had been destroyed.

Brother-in-law

She added that as a result, she had been unable to access any of the fabrics inside the vehicle such as the curtains and seat upholstery.

Mr Sinclair is accused of acting alongside his brother-in-law, Gordon Hamilton, who is now dead, of persuading or compelling the girls into a motor vehicle and holding them against their will.

He is alleged to have driven Ms Eadie to Gosford Bay, Aberlady, and there or elsewhere she was attacked, stripped and gagged with her underwear.

He is accused of tying her wrists and neck, raping her and killing her by restricting her breathing.

Mr Sinclair is accused of raping and murdering Ms Scott in the same way and driving her to a road near Haddington and in a field there or elsewhere in Edinburgh and East Lothian and attacking her.

At the start of the trial last Monday, Lord Clarke told the jury that Mr Sinclair was going to issue a special defence that any sexual contact with the girls was consensual.

The judge also told jurors the accused may put forward evidence blaming his late brother-in-law for any wrongdoing.