Jury sees images of human remains

Vicky Hamilton was last seen alive more than 17 years ago

Human remains wrapped in bin bags were found during an excavation of a garden, the Vicky Hamilton murder trial heard.

Two rings, a bracelet and items of clothing were also found in the police search at the property in Margate, Kent, jurors were told on Wednesday.

They were shown pictures from the excavation, though some images were not shown on screens in the public gallery due to their "sensitive" nature.

Peter Tobin, 62, denies any involvement in Vicky Hamilton's death.

He has lodged a special defence of alibi claiming that he was in the Portsmouth area when the 15-year-old schoolgirl disappeared 17 years ago.

Due to the sensitivity of the material that will be shown in the photographs, parties consider it would not be appropriate for the public who are in court to see them Solicitor General Frank Mulholland QC

The 12 women and three men of the jury at the High Court in Dundee were shown photographs of 50 Irvine Drive, Margate, during the evidence of Det Con Alan Benett of Essex Police.

Several photographs were said by Solicitor General Frank Mulholland QC, prosecuting, to show an "excavation" late last year of part of the garden at the back of the property.

Before leading the images, the lawyer said: "Due to the sensitivity of the material that will be shown in the photographs, parties consider it would not be appropriate for the public who are in court to see them."

Body bags

Referring to the images, Det Con Benett, 45, agreed black bin bags became visible as the excavation progressed.

He also agreed with Mr Mulholland's observation that it was possible to see "part of a head" in a picture.

The trial heard remains were placed in body bags and taken to a mortuary in Kent.

Det Con Benett also told the court some of the polythene bags had to be dried.

He said: "They were quite contaminated with body fluid and so quite wet.

"They were placed in a drying cabinet by colleagues of mine."

He also confirmed jewellery had been removed from the body after it was taken for a post-mortem examination.

There were two rings, he said, one which he described as of "gold appearance" with a "dark reddish stone" and the other as "gold with a heart shape on the front".

One was removed from the left middle finger and the other from the right ring finger, he said. A bracelet from the right wrist was also taken.

Questioned by Mr Tobin's defence QC Donald Findlay, Det Con Benett told the court: "We did believe it was human remains at that time."

The remains and other items, including the jewellery, were later handed over to Lothian and Borders Police officers who had travelled to Kent, Mr Benett said.

Jurors were shown images of the garden at Irvine Drive in Margate

Mr Tobin is accused of abducting Falkirk schoolgirl Vicky and taking her to Robertson Avenue, Bathgate, West Lothian, on 10 February 1991, which the Crown alleges was then occupied by him.

The charge alleges that there or elsewhere he drugged her, struggled with her, compressed her neck, indecently assaulted her and murdered her.

He is also accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice between 10 February 1991 and 15 December 1991 at Bathgate, Edinburgh, Margate and elsewhere.

It is alleged he concealed Vicky's body and removed and disposed of a number of items of her clothing and footwear.

He is also accused of cutting her body in two and wrapping it in coverings and bin bags.

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