Witness tells murder trial she thought victim 'ran away with travelers'
Margaret Fleming, who would now be 38, has allegedly not been seen for more than 19 years.
A major police investigation was launched in October 2016 to find missing Margaret Fleming, a murder trial was told today.
The High Court in Glasgow heard that a poster campaign was launched in Inverclyde and divers, a helicopter and dogs were used in the search which uncovered no trace of her.
Florence Jones , 79, from Inverkip, was giving evidence for a second day at the trial of her daughter Avril Jones, 59, and Edward Cairney, 77, who deny murdering Margaret at the home they shared at Seacroft, 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. Cairney and Jones cared for her following the death of her father.
Mrs Jones told prosecutor Iain McSporran QC that Margaret was “a very, very quiet girl” and when she was asked if she was able to look after herself replied: “No, not really. She had learning difficulties.”
The pensioner told the jury that her daughter told her on January 5, 2000, that Margaret had gone away with a member of the travelling community.
Mrs Jones said that her daughter claimed that Margaret came back from time to time to collect her benefits money.
Mr McSporran asked Mrs Jones: “On October 28, 2016 did police come to your door quite late on,” and she replied: “Yes.”
He then said: “What did you think when police came to your door,” and Mrs Jones replied: “I did wonder why they were looking for her because she hadn't been around.”
The prosecutor then said: “They had been at Seacroft looking for Margaret,” and she replied: “That's right. I told the police I was told she had gone away in January 5, 2000.”
Mrs Jones said the following day Cairney and Jones turned up at her home and claimed that Margaret had been staying with them for three weeks and ran away when police arrived at their door.
She said the accused told her that Margaret and Cairney had been for a walk to Weymss Bay and when they returned they saw flashing blue lights outside Seacroft and she fled into the night.
Mr McSporran asked Mrs Jones: “As the police searched for Margaret back in 2016 were there any concerns about her,” and the witness said: “No, they said she was alright. She was living her own life.”
The prosecutor asked Mrs Jones: “Did you have further discussions about Margaret with the accused,” and she replied: “I don't think we talked about it. There was no sign of Margaret.”
She was then asked if she had ever heard from Margaret and replied: “No.”
Defence QC Thomas Ross, representing Cairney, asked Mrs Jones if she knew that following the poster campaign 25 people came forward to say they thought they had seen Margaret and she replied: No.”
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.
The trial before judge Lord Matthews continues.