More time granted in murder trial

Elizabeth McCabe was last seen at a disco in Dundee

Lawyers for a man accused of a murder 27 years ago have been allowed more time to prepare their case.

Vincent Simpson, 60, faces a charge of strangling Elizabeth McCabe whose body was found in Templeton Woods, Dundee, in 1980.

Mr Simpson, of Camberley, Surrey, was excused attendance from a hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh.

His defence team said they were still examining documents from the huge police investigation.

The legal team said they were also consulting experts about evidence likely to be led during the trial.

Other charges

A further hearing before judge Lady Dorrian is expected in July when it is hoped that a trial date will be fixed.

The charge against Mr Simpson alleges that in February 1980 in Dundee's Union Street, the woods and elsewhere in the city, he assaulted Ms McCabe, hit her on the head and compressed her neck, murdering her.

Mr Simpson faces two other charges of breach of the peace, alleging that he approached women in Dundee at about the same time, causing them distress and alarm.

Ms McCabe was last seen at a disco in the city and was murdered just before her 21st birthday.