Emma Caldwell: Suspect told journalist he was 'not a violent man'

The Emma Caldwell murder suspect told an investigative journalist that he had never been outside Glasgow with a sex worker despite telling police years earlier that he had.

Iain Packer also claimed to BBC Scotland reporter Samantha Poling that he was not a "violent" person and had never hit a woman.

The 51 year-old denies a total of 46 charges involving multiple women and includes the murder of 27 year-old Miss Caldwell at Limefield Woods in Biggar, South Lanarkshire on April 5 2005.

Miss Poling told the High Court in Glasgow how Packer had approached her in 2018 after she had made a documentary about Police Scotland.

He said to be was "unhappy" about media reporting about him three years earlier.

Packer also believed six statements he had given police in connection with Miss Caldwell's death had been made public.

The court heard he wanted to "clear his name" of any alleged involvement in the killing.

Packer agreed to be interviewed twice on camera with Miss Poling - both taking place in Glasgow.

'I am not a violent person'

A BBC documentary about Miss Caldwell was eventually broadcast in 2019.

Clips from the earlier interview was shown to jurors today.

This included him admitting he used sex workers, but that he had never taken them away from Glasgow as "time was money" for the women.

The trial previously heard, however, that Packer earlier stated to detectives that he had driven to an area in Lanarkshire with women including "six times" with Miss Caldwell.

He was also said to have directed police to the remote spot in 2007.

But, in the TV interview, Packer alleged he had never been to the area other than when police instead took him there.

Miss Poling told prosecutor Richard Goddard KC: "He was adamant and repeated that he had never been there other than the occasion with the police."

Packer also insisted that he had "never hit a woman" in his life.

He stated at one stage: "I am not a violent person." Packer said violence "does not solve anything".

Admitted paying her for sex

Asked about Miss Caldwell during the interview, he admitted paying her for sex 10 or 11 times.

He recalled hearing about her death at the time and had recognised her face from a poster appeal outside a casino he went to.

Packer said it was "horrible thing" that happened to her, but had not thought any more about it.

Ronnie Renucci, defending, later questioned the journalist, who said she had been in contact with other women relevant to the case after the programmed aired.

The KC put to her: "You understood what Mr Packer was trying to do was clear his name?"

Miss Poling: "I believe so."

Mr Renucci: "He had concerns about the way he had been portrayed previously in the media?"

The witness: "That is correct."

Evidence from fellow inmate

The trial earlier today heard from a fellow inmate of Packer at HMP Addiewell in early 2020.

Gordon MacGregor, 49, claimed Packer had spoken to him about Miss Caldwell and the inquiry into her death.

In a police statement, MacGregor said: "He eventually brought up a story that he was 'suspect number one' for the murder of a prostitute in Glasgow.

"He told me that he was interviewed by police two or three times, but the 'silly sm b***s cannot make the connection'."

MacGregor told jurors Packer had been "normal" when speaking to him.

The impression he got was that Packer had a "bit of an infatuation" with Miss Caldwell.

Mr Renucci put to MacGregor this conversation did not happen, which the witness denies.

The trial, before judge Lord Beckett, continues.

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