Margaret Fleming trial: accused insists he's "incapable" of her murder

A pensioner accused of killing a missing woman has claimed he is "incapable" of her murder.

Edward Cairney insisted Margaret Fleming was alive the last time he saw her – and that he never "harmed" her.

Cairney also said it was "tripe" he told police probing Margaret's whereabouts that the case would "end up in a murder charge".

The 77 year-old is on trial with Avril Jones (59) at the High Court in Glasgow.

They deny murdering Margaret at their house in 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 gave evidence at the trial today and yesterday.

Jurors have heard how he and Jones became carers for Margaret when her lawyer father died in October 1995.

Margaret was a teenager at the time.

Cairney told jurors he believed "a girl's place was with her mum" - but that Margaret wanted to stay with him and Jones.

The retired marine engineer recalled Margaret went missing in early 2000.

Cairney: "This was the first time she had gone and not come back after several hours."

He and Jones went to London to try and find her. They believed Margaret had gone to visit the Milennium Dome.

The pair came back to Scotland without her – before Cairney claimed Margaret returned around a week later.

He believed she had gone to London with a woman associated to local travellers.

Cairney's QC Thomas Ross then asked what the "position" was with Margaret from then until 2016 when police appeared at his house.

He replied: "She would come and go, She would come back if she needed money."

Cairney said he once bought a £20,000 van for Margaret and a reported house-breaker she had "befriended".

Mr Ross then quizzed the OAP on police turning up at his home in October 2016.

Cairney said he and Margaret had been returning to Inverkip from Wemyss Bay at the time.

Mr Ross: "You could see the police lights?"

Cairney: "Yes, Margaret got highly upset. I was saying 'police are not here for you' – but she was sure of it."

He said they entered the kitchen of house and noticed officers already there.

Cairney: "At first, I did not understand the gravity of what was going on.

"I went back into the kitchen to get Margaret, but I knew she would be gone.

"They were screaming: 'Where is Margaret Fleming?'"

The OAP said he told officers Margaret was "away" and tried to tell them where she may have gone.

But, he claimed: "It was like talking to Zombies."

The trial earlier heard an allegation that Cairney said at that time: "This is going to end up in a murder charge".

Asked did he recall saying that, Cairney replied: "No – its tripe."

The court heard claims Cairney then met Margaret in London in 2017.

He said he told Margaret police were looking for her and that they were "holding us to ransom".

Cairney insisted that was the last he saw Margaret. He was later detained by police.

His QC Mr Ross asked him: "Have you ever harmed Margaret?"

Cairney: "No, I certainly have not. I am incapable of harming a lady...just cannot do that."

Jurors also heard again of interviews he gave to journalist Russell Findlay and BBC Scotland reporter Suzanne Allan before he was held.

Among several claims, Cairney said Margaret had became a "gangmaster" and was also "buying and selling" drugs.

Cairney said he was telling the "truth" in the interviews.

He was also asked about claims made by ex-fireman Paul Neeson during the trial.

Mr Neeson said he once smelled burning human flesh from a bonfire at Cairney's home.

But, Cairney said: "Was the guy not totally discredited...a nutcase."

The trial continues.