Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Lucinda Cameron

Man and woman deny abducting and murdering missing woman Margaret Fleming

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.

Edward Cairney, 77, and Avril Jones, 59, 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.

'I can't wait to get home' Scots mum shares suicide girl's letter after 21st birthday in prison  

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.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.