Connor Gibson murder trial hears he was dirty and dishevelled the night he allegedly killed his sister
Amber Gibson's body was found in Cadzow Glen in Hamilton on 26 November, 2021
A court has heard that a man returned home looking like he had "fell into a ditch" on the night he allegedly murdered his teenage sister.
Connor Gibson was described as dirty and dishevelled while also insisting he had "family issues".
The 20-year-old reportedly told a worker at his homeless accommodation that he had been arguing with his sister Amber Gibson and wanted a phone to make sure she was safe.
Jurors heard how Gibson had been a resident at the Blue Triangle project in the town on November 26.
Dirty and bleeding
Suzanne Duddy worked there and recalled him returning to the unit around midnight.
He pushed open the door to her office and slumped on a chair.
Miss Duddy described Gibson as "quite a dramatic character".
READ MORE: Connor Gibson goes on trial accused of murdering teenage sister in Hamilton.
The 55-year-old project worker went on: "He looked very dishevelled, out of breath.
"His hands were very, very dirty up to his wrist. I asked was he okay, but he did not answer."
He also had bleeding cut on his left shin, complained of "stings", but "did not seem bothered about his appearance".
Jurors also heard of claims Gibson made to different witnesses about his time with the 16-year-old on the night of Friday November 26, 2021.
This included him stating he had had a "bad night" and that "everything was a bit fuzzy".
Gibson is on trial charged with the sexual assault and murder of Amber at Cadzow Glen in Hamilton, Lanarkshire.
Concerned for his sister’s welfare
Gibson went on to ask to make a phone call.
READ MORE: Amber Gibson: Second man in court after teen's death.
Miss Duddy: "He explained to me that he had family issues and had an argument with his sister.
"That was why he wanted to use the phone to see if she returned home safely."
After the call, Gibson was said to have gone for a shower.
Miss Duddy told the trial he went on to leave the building with a carrier bag and - from watching CCTV - he briefly went towards where bins were before returning without it.
Co-accused
Gibson is joined in the dock during the trial by 44-year-old Stephen Corrigan, who does not face the murder charge.
Corrigan's lawyer Rhonda Anderson questioned the witness about Gibson's appearance.
Miss Duddy told her: "I actually made a comment to Connor: 'Oh my God, did you fall in a ditch?'.
"He said: 'Aye, I fell in a ditch'."
READ MORE: Man to face trial accused of sexually assaulting and murdering sister in Hamilton.
But she added Gibson "did not elaborate".
“Everything was a bit fuzzy”
The trial earlier heard how Amber had been staying at Hillhouse Children's Unit in Hamilton at the time.
Jurors were previously told how the teenager had left that night "excited" to go and meet her older sibling.
Alison Leonard - a residential worker there - told how she unsuccessfully tried to calling Amber then Gibson when the girl had not returned by around midnight.
Gibson then phoned back a short time later and identified himself as Amber's brother.
Miss Leonard: "He advised that he had been with Amber, but that he had had a bad night, and everything was a bit fuzzy.
"He said he had no recollection of when Amber had left.”
Something wasn’t right
She pressed him for a time, but he insisted he did not know.
Miss Leonard told prosecutor Richard Goddard KC that her "gut instinct" made her feel "something was not adding up".
She then went out and drove around the local area trying to find Amber.
READ MORE: Man charged in connection with death of Hamilton teenager.
The witness: "I did not like the conversation (with Gibson). I just had a bad feeling."
Miss Leonard eventually alerted police around 2am when Amber had not returned.
As a missing person's hunt was sparked, the court heard how Gibson spoke with another worker at the Blue Triangle unit on November 27.
Assistant manager Robert Maitland, 44, said Gibson claimed him and Amber had been going to a party, but had a "big argument" and she ran off.
He had then fallen near to Hamilton Academicals stadium and got muddy.
Gibson was "worried" about Amber and that, if something had happened to her, people would think he was at fault due to the row.
Mr Maitland made suggestions to him about helping to try to find the teenager including making an appeal on social media.
But the witness said: "He was quite dismissive because they had different friend groups."
Corrigan is charged with breach of the peace and attempting to defeat the ends of justice. He had lodged a special defence of alibi.
It is claimed Corrigan found Amber's body, but rather than alert police, he inappropriately touched her and then hid her remains under bushes and branches.
This is said to have occurred on an occasion between November 26 and 28 2021.
The trial, before judge Lord Mulholland, continues.