Murder trial hears victim's name didn't appear on any calendars after 2000
Edward Cairney, 77 and Avril Jones, 58 deny murdering Margaret Fleming in Inverkip between December 18th 1999 and January 5, 2000.
Last updated 5th Jun 2019
A detective told a jury that of the thousands of photographs seized from the home of murder accused Edward Cairney and Avril Jones, fewer than 10 featured missing Margaret Fleming.
The High Court in Glasgow also heard there were no references to Margaret in diaries and calendars found in the house after January 2000.
Detective Inspector Monica Hagerty was giving evidence at the trial of Edward Cairney, 77, and Avril Jones, 58, who deny murdering Margaret Fleming at Seacroft, Main Road, Inverkip, Inverclyde, between December 18, 1999 and January 5, 2000.
A major police investigation was sparked on October 28, 2016, after a benefits claim submitted by Jones on Margaret's behalf raised concerns about her well-being.
Cairney and Jones claim that Margaret is alive and returns to Inverkip from time to time to collect her benefits money.
The court has heard that the last confirmed sighting of Margaret, who would now be 38, was at Jones' brother Richard's home in Inverkip, Inverclyde, on December 17, 1999.
Yesterday, DI Hagerty of the Major Investigation Team told the jury that she was involved in overseeing a meticulous and painstaking search of Seacroft.
She was asked by prosecutor Iain McSporran QC: “Were there any photographs of Margaret Fleming,” and she replied: “Thousands of photographs were seized, but only a small number of Margaret – less than 10.”
The jury has already been shown some of these photographs which feature Margaret with other people, but never on her own. Cairney and Jones claim she did not like her photograph being taken.
DI Hagerty told the court that Seacroft was full of old paperwork and calendars and diaries dating back to 1988.
The last reference to Margaret was on January 14, 2000 when it is noted in Jones' diary - letter from M in Carlisle, and written on a wildflowers of Australia calendar on January 6, 2000 is an entry which says - Margaret left.
Quoting at random from the diary Mr McSporran says” “On May 12, 2000 there is an entry about having tea on the lawn with mum and dad and on April 10, 2000 it says E cut front grass and fixed beech hedge. It seems very trivial things were being recorded,” and DI Hagerty said: “Yes. It seems to be a record of their daily lives.”
The prosecutor then said: “That daily life didn't include Margaret Fleming, “and the detective replied: “No, not after January 2000.”
The jury was then shown a Christmas card address book in which Jones appeared to mark down cards sent and received.
Mr McSporran said: “Margaret Fleming's entry has no address but a tick for having sent and received a card in 1997, 1998 and 1999 and nothing thereafter,” and DI Hagerty relied: Yes, that's correct.”
DI Hagerty told QC Thomas Ross, representing Cairney, that even during the trial the police were investigating possible sightings of Margaret Fleming.
Mr Ross asked: “At the start of this trial someone claimed to have seen her at the Barras,” and the police officer replied: “Yes, but our assessment was that it was not Margaret Fleming.”
The QC said: “You have never been able to find Margaret Fleming,” and DI Hagerty said: “No.”
Mr Ross then said: “But in the middle of the trial people are reporting they may have seen her,” and she replied: “Yes.
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.