Woman denies murdering her mother

Anne Brown's body was found lying in water last October

A heavily-pregnant woman has denied murdering her mother and then dumping her body in a burn.

Lisa Brown, 21, and John Wilson, 25, are accused of repeatedly striking Anne Brown on the head and body with a blunt object and murdering her.

The killing is alleged to have happened at Laigh Gree, Burnhouse, Ayrshire, on 18 October last year.

They both denied the charges against them at the High Court in Glasgow. The case was continued until next month.

Ms Brown, who is due to give birth within weeks, was excused attendance at the next hearing by judge Lady Smith.

Ms Brown and Mr Wilson are also charged with attempting to defeat the ends of justice on 18 or 19 October last year.

'Similarities in DNA'

It is claimed they transported Mrs Brown's body in her car, concealed it in a sleeping bag and a builder's bag, tied the bag with a metal chain, twine and wire and weighted it down with stones and bricks and placed it in Clerkland Burn.

Ms Brown is further accused of assaulting Anne Elliot by striking her on the head with a telephone to her injury on 24 February 2005 at a house in Fenwick, Ayrshire.

Prosecutor Derek Ogg QC told the court: "There is sophisticated and complicated evidence in this case that requires special treatment.

"Because it is a mother and daughter involved there are similarities in DNA."

He added that because of this, specialist 15-strand DNA tests had to be carried out.