Officer likened to TV 'bad cop'

Vincent Simpson denies murdering Elizabeth McCabe in 1980

The jury in the Templeton Woods trial has heard that denials made by Vincent Simpson over the murder of Elizabeth McCabe were not in his statements.

Despite repeatedly denying involvement in the murder, officers failed to officially take note of them.

The trial at the High Court in Edinburgh also heard the officer leading the inquiry compared to a character in the series Life On Mars.

Vincent Simpson, 61, of Camberley, Surrey, denies Ms McCabe's murder.

Det Ch Insp David Fotheringham, who has since died, was described by former colleague Brian Kirk as adept at playing the "bad cop" role during interrogations.

Mr Kirk, 57, described the accused's second day of questioning at Dundee's Bell Street police headquarters after Elizabeth McCabe's naked body was found in Templeton Woods.

'Peeping Tom'

In a statement, noted on March 3 1980, Mr Simpson confessed to being a "peeping tom" who used binoculars to spy on courting couples in Templeton Woods.

Mr Kirk said Mr Fotheringham was among those questioning Mr Simpson.

Describing Mr Fotheringham's methods to the court, Mr Kirk - a detective constable at the time - said: "He was what is termed an aggressive interviewer."

Asked what form that took, Mr Kirk explained: "Being very forceful in his voice, sometimes shouting, quite aggressive in his approach."

You have painted not a very pretty picture of how interview practice was carried on in March 1980 Mark Stewart Defence QC

Advocate depute Alex Prentice QC, prosecuting, asked Mr Kirk if he was familiar with the "good cop, bad cop" routine.

Mr Kirk said he had seen it a lot on TV, but it played no part in obtaining his statement from Mr Simpson - taken before the senior officer joined them.

He added: "Mr Fotheringham played the bad cop to perfection."

Questioned by defence QC Mark Stewart, Mr Kirk agreed that the accused was "certainly pressurised when Mr Fotheringham came into the room."

He also admitted there was no written record of Mr Simpson's denial that he was a killer.

Mr Stewart pointed out that the accused had admitted things that were unpleasant and embarrassing, but had denied any responsibility for Elizabeth McCabe's death.

Real killer

Mr Stewart continued: "You have painted not a very pretty picture of how interview practice was carried on in March 1980.

"Would you agree that this form of interview has no place in modern policing?"

"Certainly," said Mr Kirk, agreeing it was often counter-productive.

The lawyer asked him: "Have you ever watched the TV programme 'Life on Mars?

"David Fotheringham was Gene Hunt?"

Mr Kirk told him: "I don't know the characters, sir."

Mr Simpson claims he has an alibi for the night of the killing and has suggested one or more from a list of 13 names drawn up by his defence team is the real killer.