Man to stand trial over murder of Emma Faulds

The 39-year-old's body was found in a remote Dumfries and Galloway forest, six weeks after she disappeared.

Published 4th Dec 2019
Last updated 4th Dec 2019

A 40-year-old man is to stand trial charged with murdering Ayrshire woman, Emma Faulds, and dumping her body in a remote Dumfries and Galloway forest.

Ross Willox is accused of killing the 39 year-old at his house in Monkton on April 28 this year.

Willox also faces an allegation of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

The charge lists 19 claims said to have occurred between the day of the alleged murder and May 8 2019.

Prosecutors state Willox hid Emma’s body before disposing of it at the end of a ‘remote forestry track’.

Willox allegedly covered the body with soil, moss and vegetation.

The charge states he is also got rid of Emma's mobile phone, clothes and other belongings.

Willox allegedly took her car from the Monkton property to Emma's home in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire and cleaned any evidence he had been in it.

He is also said to have bought a number of items including bleach, rubber gloves, disinfectant and waterproof trousers.

It is further claimed Willox then led other people to think he believed Emma was not dead.

He apparently told police he had been with Emma and her dog at her home in Kilmarnock, adding she was there when he left on the morning of April 29 - the day after the alleged murder.

Willox is also said to have left voicemails on Emma's phone 'pretending that he believed her still to be alive'.

Willox further allegedly carried out a number of web searches including about blood and 'vehicle tracking by the police'.

Willox pleaded not guilty at a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.

Lord Turnbull set a trial due to begin in June next year.