Accused declines to give evidence

Elizabeth McCabe's body was found in the woods in February 1980

The man accused of murdering nursery nurse Elizabeth McCabe more than 27 years ago has chosen not to give evidence at his trial.

It was confirmed that Vincent Simpson would not be called as a witness earlier, when the jury was told it had heard all the evidence in the case.

Instead the jury watched video footage of the former taxi driver being questioned by detectives in July 2005.

In the interview Mr Simpson denies having any connection to the murder.

The 61-year-old of Camberley, Surrey, insists that he had never met Elizabeth McCabe and claims he has an alibi.

DNA match

Ms McCabe's body was found in Templeton Woods, on the outskirts of Dundee in February 1980.

At that time Simpson was living in Newtyle near the city and operating a private hire taxi firm.

He was questioned by police during the days following the discovery of her remains and again in 2005 after the murder investigation had been re-opened.

The trial has heard that DNA partly matching Mr Simpson's profile was found on a blue jumper found by Ms McCabe's body.

However the trial has also heard how items of evidence were found jumbled together in the same box after being stored for more than 25 years by police.

The defence has suggested this could explain how Mr Simpson's DNA was found on the jumper.

The jury was also told that in years gone by bags containing evidence often arrived at police labs unsealed and may have been opened to attach labels. Staff did not wear protective gloves when doing this.

Mr Simpson's defence lawyers have given the court a list of 13 names who, they claim, are more likely to be responsible for Ms McCabe's death.

The trial continues on Tuesday.