BLOOD TRAIL
Spatters from door right through OAP’s home
JURORS in a murder trial were yesterday shown photographs of the blood-spattered scene police found at a cottage. A trail of blood led from snowdrops at the front door of 67-year-old mechanic Brian McKandie’s home right through the semi-detached property.
Steven Sidebottom, 24, is on trial for Brian’s murder. He denies murdering and robbing him on March 11, 2016.
At the High Court in Aberdeen, a police forensics examiner said the death was treated as “unexplained” for almost a week.
Brian’s older brother William, 77, of Buckie, Moray, told how he was visiting his daughters in Australia when he was told about the death.
He said: “As far as I was informed, there were no suspicious circumstances. I arranged to get home and see to his burial. I was met by police when I got back and told it was now a murder inquiry.”
Forensics expert Julie Goodeve was called to Brian’s home in Badenscoth, Aberdeenshire. The court heard how firefighters had to smash their way through the front window as Brian’s body was jammed behind the front door, blocking entry.
Photographs taken at the scene showed blood on the wall outside, in the entrance hall, on doors and surrounds, carpets, bedding and on Brian’s body.
In a bedroom off the hall, there was a bloodied handprint on a bed cover and blood around the base of the bed.
Goodeve identified pieces of human skin as she showed jurors the crime scene.
She was asked by Mr McSporran what her impression was of the scene.
She said: “The impression was that the gentleman had come by an accident, had fallen into the flower bed and on into the house to try and seek help.”
She agreed that was also the view formed by police officers.
The court was then shown photographs of Brian’s corpse, hands and face covered in blood.
Mr McSporran suggested it was “obvious” a head injury to Brian’s head was “the significant source of the bleeding”. Ms Goodeve agreed.
Another crime scene examiner told how “tens of thousands” of pounds were found stuffed in Quality Street and Toblerone tins in Brian’s cottage.
John Dingwall, 55, was asked to take photographs of cash at the property. He found wads of £20 notes in bundles secured by elastic bands, envelopes or plastic bags.
Neighbouring farmer Ian Cruickshank told the court Brian always dealt in cash.
He added: “Brian would put it in his pocket and say, ‘That’ll be something for the shoebox.’”
The trial, before Lord Arthurson, continues.