Man 'helped Moira accused flee'

The body of Moira Jones was found in Queen's Park in May 2008

The Moira Jones murder trial has heard that the accused wanted help from a friend to leave the country.

Marcel Korenko, 36, from the Czech Republic, said he had driven from Aberfeldy last May especially to take Marek Harcer to Glasgow airport.

The evidence was heard during the trial of 33-year-old Mr Harcar at the High Court in Glasgow.

The Slovakian denies the rape and murder of 40-year-old Ms Jones in Queen's Park, Glasgow, last May.

Mr Korenko told the court that he knew Mr Harcar from when they both lived in Liverpool.

He said he had helped the accused move from Merseyside on 18 May last year after he lost his job.

The court was told that Mr Harcar quickly became disillusioned with his life in Scotland.

From that text, I found that he wanted home and that he was in crisis Marcel Korenko

Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini QC, prosecuting, referred Mr Korenko to text messages the accused sent him.

Mr Harcar stated on one, sent on 29 May the day Miss Jones' body was found, that he had a row with flatmate Lucie Pechtlova and that he "must leave".

Two days later, he texted Mr Korenko again, stating: "Marcel, you must help me tomorrow please."

Mr Korenko told the court: "From that text, I found that he wanted home and that he was in crisis."

In the early hours of 1 June, Mr Korenko agreed to come from his home in Aberfeldy to take Harcar to Glasgow Airport.

The jury was shown CCTV footage of the accused at a check in reception at the airport, before he flew to Brno in the Czech Republic.

Face 'embedded'

Earlier, the court heard from police casualty surgeon Dr Michael O'Keefe.

He said it appeared from studying evidence that Ms Jones' face had been "embedded" into soil or foliage during the attack.

It is claimed that Mr Harcar forced Ms Jones across the park against her will before he repeatedly punched, kicked and stamped on her head and body.

He is then said to have repeatedly struck her on the ground, forcibly removed her clothes, compressed her neck, pinned her to the ground and raped her.

Mr Harcar is also alleged to have murdered the businesswoman, who is originally from Staffordshire, and stolen from her.

He is then accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by fleeing to the Czech Republic and Slovakia between 1 and 18 June last year.

Mr Hacar has lodged defences of incrimination and alibi, blaming three others for the murder of Ms Jones.

The trial, before Lord Bracadale, continues.