Officer tells court Margaret Fleming murder accused "didn't seem concerned" about disappearance

A police officer has told a trial that murder accused Edward Cairney and Avril Jones did not appear concerned about missing Margaret Fleming.

PC Stuart Rintoul was giving evidence at 77 year-old Edward Cairney and 59 year-old Avril Jones, 59 who deny murdering Margaret Fleming at Seacroft, Main Road, Inverkip, between December 18, 1999 and January 5, 2000.

Margaret, who would now be 38, has allegedly not been seen for more than 19 years.

After Margaret's father lawyer Derek Flemin died Cairney and Jones became her carers.

The policeman told the High Court in Glasgow that colleagues had gone to check on Margaret's welfare on October 28, 2016 and this had escalated into a missing person's inquiry.

Cairney claimed that he and Margaret had just returned from walked to Wemyss Bay and back and Margaret had fled when she saw the police.

PC Rintoul described Cairney as 'angry' and said that on missing person inquiries 'usually the person in the house Is willing to help us.”

He was asked by prosecutor Iain McSporran QC: “How concerned were Edward Cairney and Avril Jones for Margaret,” and he replied: “Not very much. All I got told was she had no family or friends and no one visited.”

Mr McSporan then said: “Did their attitude strike you as normal,” and PC Rintoul replied: “No. If someone as vulnerable as this female was missing normally the people would appear upset. There didn't appear to be that.”

The police officer said he told Cairney and Jones that s police helicopter and police dog would called out in the search for Margaret.

He said: “Both were shocked and angry, almost as if they didn't want it to happen.”

PC Rintoul said Jones told him Margaret's benefits were paid to her.

He said: “I asked Avril Jones about money and she said the money was paid into her bank account and when she lifted it she gave Margaret her bit.”

The witness added: added: “She said Margaret couldn't look after herself. Avril said she went everywhere with Eddie and the two of them wouldn't let her leave the house herself.”

Defence QC Thomas Ross, representing Cairney, asked PC Rintoul: “Edward Cairney's position is that a week before Margaret had run away and came back an hour later, is that correct,” and he replied: “Yes.”

Mr Ross then said: “Did he not eventually express concern for Margaret,” and the policeman replied: “It was about two and a half to three hours later. I asked him if he was concerned and he said 'I am now.”

Defence QC Ian Duguid, representing Jones, asked PC Rintoul: "Did Miss Jones say how much she gave Margaret Fleming," and he replied: "£700."

Cairney and Jones are accused of defrauding £182,000 in benefits and attempting to defeat the ends of justice by claiming Margaret was alive.

They deny all the charges against them.

Murder accused Avril Jones blamed a social worker as police searched for vulnerable Margaret Fleming, a murder trial was told yesterday (Fri).

Inspector Paul Thomson said that Jones told him: “This is all down to that stupid bloody social worker.''

He added: “She said it was because Margaret had failed to keep an appointment."

The court has heard that social worker Veronics Bennett contacted police after concerns were raised about a benefits form completed by Jones on behalf. of Margaret.

Inspector Thomson said he did not think either accused was concerned about Margaret.

He added: "Edward Cairney said 'I hope she doesn't come back after all this fuss.'"

Sergeant Chris McKay told the murder trial that initially police wondered if Margaret actually existed.

Prosecutor Iain McSporran QC said: "Were there any suspicions by your officers," and Sgt McKay replied: "Yes they didn't believe Margaret Fleming had been there."

He told the jury this was because there were no personal belongings or photographs of Margaret.

Mr McSporran said: “Did you ask them if Margaret Fleming existed,” and the police officer replied: “Yes.”

Sgt McKay added: "Miss Jones also said the social worker had ruined their lives. She said that a number of times."

The trial continues.