Murder accused told police he feared missing Girvan woman had run away

A man accused of murdering a missing woman in Girvan told police he feared she’d done a “runner”, owing him a four-figure sum of cash.

George Metcalff said he had "no idea" where she was as he was quizzed by police probing the disappearance of the 46-year-old.

Metcalff denies murdering Patricia - known as Patti - at a flat in the town on November 13, 2017.

Prosecutors claim Metcalff attacked Patti by “means unknown”.

The mum lived in Paisley before relocating to Girvan in October 2017.

Metcalff is also charged with attempting to defeat the ends of justice between the day of the alleged murder and February 22, 2018.

This lists an accusation that he did “conceal and dispose” of Patricia’s body again by unknown means.

The indictment features a number of other charges including the rape of Patricia.

Metcalff gave a statement to police in April 2018

The court heard from DS Stuart Grainger who told jurors he was present when Metcalff gave his police statement while Patti's missing persons inquiry was ongoing in April 2018.

The statement was read by prosecutor Alex Prentice QC and was confirmed by DS Grainger.

In it, Metcalff told the officers that he and Patti were "just friends" and were not involved in a sexual relationship.

He claimed that Patti lived above him 10 years before but the flat "lay empty for months."

Metcalff claimed Patti went to Gran Canaria before coming back to Paisley but she didn't initally stay with him.

He claimed Patti did move in with him after she was in a fight with her neighbours in which her windows were smashed.

It was stated that Patti moved into a private let in Girvan with Metcalff agreeing to be the guarantor paying £700 for the deposit and first month's rent in October 2017.

He added: "Patti would sort out her housing benefit and would get my money back."

Metcalff claimed Patricia told him she wanted to return to Spain

Metcalff claimed Patti got upset during a visit and was told by her that she wanted to go back to Gran Canaria on November 11, 2017.

He alleged he went to her flat on November 12, 2017 in order to drop off cat litter.

He stated that the landlord of the flat called him on November 13, 2017 stating that he could not get a hold of Patti and a new cooker was to be delivered to her.

Metcalff claimed he went to Girvan again in order to "tell her about the cooker" that was to be installed on November 17.

Metcalff told officers that he cleaned up the flat and was told by Patti to get her items from the local shop.

He stated that he took out £250 from a cash machine for her.

Metcalff claimed he told Patti that he would be down on Friday for the cooker being delivered.

He said: “She said okay and made no mention of not being in.”

Metcalff said he had no contact with Patti on the following three days.

He stated he went back to Patti's flat to assist with the cooker delivery but there was "no answer."

Metcalff said a neighbour took it in as he did not have a key.

He then stated that he received a call from Patti's daughter who asked him to take friend Cherie Smith to the flat.

Metcalff told officers: "I said to her I hope Patti is okay because she had landed me in the s*** with money.

Accused said Patricia owed him "quite a lot of money"

"Patti owed me quite a lot of money - £1,600 or £1,700 which was for holidays she had been on."

He claimed he told Miss Smith that he hoped Patti had not "done a runner."

Metcalff claimed he was given a key by the landlord's handy man.

Metcalff stated that Patti was not there, the flat was unclean and there was no sign of her passport.

The trial continues.

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