Steven Donaldson's DNA found on accused's t-shirt

A forensic scientist has told a murder trial how the DNA belonging to the alleged victim was found on a t-shirt belonging to the man accused of killing him.

Sarah Milne, 43, told a jury on Wednesday how she found a blood stain on a top belonging to 24-year-old Callum Davidson.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Ms Milne tested the sample and discovered the blood belonged to Steven Donaldson, 27.

She told the court that the blood also contained Mr Donaldson's DNA - a genetic fingerprint that is unique to each individual.

Ms Milne told prosecution lawyer Ashley Edwards QC that it was a "billion times" more likely that the DNA came from Mr Donaldson than any other person.

She added: "That's the biggest match we'll ever report."

Ms Milne, who is employed by the Scottish Police Service Authority, was giving evidence on the eighth day of proceedings against Mr Davidson and his co-accused Steven Dickie, 24, and Tasmin Glass, 20.

The trio- who all come from the Angus town of Kirriemuir - deny murdering Miss Glass's ex boyfriend Steven Donaldson in their hometown between June 6 and June 7 2018.

On Wednesday, Ms Milne told the court that she had obtained samples from blood from the deceased. The court heard that she was able to obtain Mr Donaldson's DNA as well.

The court also heard that she had obtained DNA samples from the three accused.

Jurors heard that police recovered the broken handle of a baseball bat from close to where Mr Donaldson's body was discovered.

Ms Milne said she recovered Mr Donaldson's blood was recovered from the baseball bat.

Police also obtained a 'push bike' which belonged to Callum Davidson. The court heard that the bike contained the DNA of Mr Davidson and Mr Donaldson.

Ms Milne said she also tested Mr Davidson's T shirt and found Mr Donaldson's DNA.

Ms Edwards asked whether Mr Donaldson's blood could have got onto Mr Davidson's t shirt as consequence of the accused being near his alleged victim at the time the deceased was struck.

Ms Milne replied: "Yes that could explain it yes."

Jurors had heard that Mr Donaldson's body was discovered at the Loch of Kinnordy nature reserve car park in Kirriemuir.

Ms Milne said she arrived at where the dead man's body was found and she studied blood stains at the location.

She said that the nature of the blood stains suggested that it was possible that Mr Donaldson could have been running through the car park bleeding.

The court heard that it was possible that Mr Donaldson could have been then assaulted and 'dragged back' to be placed beside a car which was set on fire.

When Ms Edwards asked her if this could explain the nature of the blood staining, Ms Milne, who is based in Dundee, said: "Yes it could."

Prosecutors claim that between June 6 and June 7 2018, Mr Dickie, Mr Davidson and Miss Glass arranged to meet Mr Donaldson, of Arbroath, at the Peter Pan Play Park in Kirriemuir and assaulted him with "unknown weapons".

It's alleged that Mr Donaldson was then "incapacitated" - the trio are then alleged to have taken him to the nearby Loch of Kinnordy nature reserve park.

Once at the park, the Crown alleges that Mr Donaldson was struck on the head and body with a knife, a baseball bat or similar instruments.

The trio are then alleged to have struck Mr Donaldson on the head and neck with an "unknown heavy bladed instrument".

They are then alleged to have set fire to Mr Donaldson and to his car.

Mr Dickie and Mr Davidson also face a number of other charges including assaults and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.

The trio have pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The trial, before judge Lord Pentland, continues.