Two on trial accused of abducting and murdering missing woman

Two people have gone on trial accused of abducting and murdering a woman more than 19 years ago.

Margaret Fleming was reported missing in October 2016 from her home in Inverkip, Inverclyde, but has allegedly not been seen since December 1999.

77 year-old Edward Cairney 59 year-old and Avril Jones are accused of assaulting and murdering Ms Fleming and fraudulently claiming £182,000 in benefits by pretending she was alive.

The pair, who deny all charges against them, went on trial at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday.

It is alleged Cairney and Jones abducted Ms Fleming at her home at Seacroft in Inverkip on various occasions between November 1 1997 and January 5 2000, and that they locked her in a room, cut her hair and bound her arms and wrists with tape and other material.

The pair are accused of assaulting and murdering Ms Fleming, who would now be 38, at the property in Inverkip or elsewhere in Scotland at some point between December 18 1999 and January 5 2000.

It is also alleged they pretended to officials from the Department for Work and Pensions that Ms Fleming was alive between December 18 1999 and October 28 2016 and claimed £182,000 by fraud.

They also face two charges of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

It is alleged they disposed of, destroyed or concealed the remains and personal effects of Ms Fleming between December 18 1999 and October 26 2017.

They are also accused of trying to board a train to London on October 25 2017 while carrying £3,500 and the keys to a safe deposit box in London that contained £27,000.

Cairney is also accused of assaulting another woman at a property in Inverkip on November 26 1997.

The trial is expected to last five to six weeks.

The case, before Lord Matthews, was adjourned until Friday.