Footprint found on Amber Gibson's underwear matches brother's shoes
Connor Gibson's Adidas Gazelles were seized by police
Last updated 12th Jul 2023
A footprint from trainers found on a teenager’s bra buried near her body matched a pair seized from her brother, a murder trial heard today.
Connor Gibson, 20, had his Adidas Gazelle trainers seized from his home and analysed by a forensic scientist.
Jurors were told that the marking on the bra has an "agreement in pattern" with the trainers.
Co-accused
His co-accused Stephen Corrigan, 44, who is alleged to have found Amber's body in Cadzow Glen, Hamilton, Lanarkshire, told police he had never met her.
He stated that he was “shocked” to hear his DNA was found in excess of 26 places including intimate areas of Amber’s body and her bra.
Corrigan suggested his DNA was in the area as he may have done the toilet in bushes on an earlier visit.
READ MORE: Connor Gibson goes on trial accused of murdering teenage sister in Hamilton.
It is claimed he inappropriately touched Amber and hid her remains under bushes and branches.
Corrigan is accused of breach of the peace and attempting to defeat the ends of justice between November 26 and 28 2021.
Gibson is charged with the sexual assault and murder of 16-year-old.
Forensics
Jurors earlier heard that grey Adidas Gazelle trainers were seized from his room at the Blue Triangle accommodation in Hamilton on the day Amber's body was found.
The High Court in Glasgow also told that Amber’s bra was found by police in the undergrowth near her body.
Forensic scientist Laura Wilcock, 45, told the court that she analysed the trainers and the mark on the bra.
She said: "There was an agreement in the patterns of the shoe found at the Blue Triangle."
The witness also suggested that the mark on the bra was made while it was not being worn.
Detective Inspector Stephen McGrath, 39, told jurors that Corrigan’s DNA was found on swabs of her body.
He then conducted a two-hour interview with him on January 3 2022 which the court was initially read in excerpts.
Denial
Richard Goddard KC put it to the witness that Corrigan denied knowing Amber.
He replied: “That’s correct.”
Mr Goddard: “He denied meeting her at that time.”
DI McGrath: “That’s correct.”
He added that Corrigan claimed never to have known Connor Gibson.
The witness told the court Corrigan stated that he remembered the weekend of the alleged murder.
DI McGrath claimed Corrigan, of Blantyre, Lanarkshire, told him that he spent the weekend staying at his dad’s house who lived near him.
He stated that he also visited a friend, attended a hospital appointment on the Saturday and went to a local shop for sweets.
The witness claimed he asked Corrigan - who used to live in Hamilton - for the last time he visited he visited Cadzow Glen and was told July 2021.
He stated that he was drinking with his son and his friend at the time.
DI McGrath asked him to explain why a forensic scientist found his DNA at the scene.
He replied: “Don’t get me wrong, I maybe went and had a pee in bushes while chilling out on the grass.”
DI McGrath: “For the full weekend, did you go to Hamilton at all?”
Corrigan: “No.”
Alibi
Corrigan has a defence of alibi which the terms of were shown to the court by Mr Goddard.
The alibi claims that Corrigan was in the Hillhead area of Hamilton on Saturday 27 November.
Mr Goddard asked DI McGrath if he was told by Corrigan that he was in Hamilton before going back to Blantyre and he replied: “No.”
DI McGrath stated to Corrigan that his DNA was found in excess of 20 locations on Amber’s body and her bra.
He further claimed there were six matches on intimate areas such as her thigh and bum.
Corrigan stated to the officer that he had “no explanation” and that it was a “shock to me.”
Rhonda Anderson, defending, asked the witness if he cooperated fully and answered every question.
DI McGrath replied: “That’s correct.”
Miss Anderson played the police interview in which Corrigan claims that his friend lived in Hamilton.
The trial continues before Judge Lord Mulholland.