Craig Whyte fraud trial judge tells jury to keep ‘cool heads’ in deliberations

The jury in former Rangers owner Craig Whyte's fraud trial have been told to keep “cool heads'' as they prepare to consider their verdict.

Judge Lady Stacey started her charge to the jury on Monday at the end of the closing speeches in the case at the High Court in Glasgow.

Whyte is accused of acquiring Rangers by fraud in May 2011.

He denies the charge and another under the Companies Act.

The Crown alleges the 46-year-old pretended to then owner Sir David that funds were ''immediately available'' on an ''unconditional basis'' to make all required payments for a controlling and majority stake in the Glasgow club.

Advocate Depute Alex Prentice QC has told the court Whyte did not have authority over the funds used in the takeover but defence QC Donald Findlay described the accused as “the fall guy'' in the case.

In his closing speech on Monday morning, Mr Findlay told the court Sir David Murray wanted to protect his legacy at the club but was “badly let down'' by others who advised on the sale.

He said: “Nobody in this court should be the fall guy.

“A lot of people have come in determined that he (Whyte) would be the fall guy and didn't have it in themselves to accept some responsibility.''

At the end of Mr Findlay's speech, the judge said the jurors had to consider the credibility and reliability of each witness.

She urged “cool heads'' and a “good hard look at what has been put before you''.

The defence case did not call any witnesses in the trial but Lady Stacey told the jury the onus was on the prosecution to prove its case.

She said: “Craig Whyte doesn't need to prove his innocence. You must not draw an adverse inference against Mr Whyte because he did not give evidence.''

The judge will continue her charge on Monday afternoon.