Murder trial told of search at flat

OFFICERS looking for a missing woman who was allegedly murdered spent a “matter of minutes” searching the flat where she is said to have died, a court heard.

Steven Jackson, 40, and Michelle Higgins, 29, are accused of murdering 37-year-old Kimberley MacKenzie at a flat in Montrose on October 27 2015.

During a trial at the High Court in Glasgow, PC Lisa Croall said she and her colleague PC Dawn Falconer visited Jackson’s property on October 28 and October 29.

On October 28 they only spoke to Jackson in the living room to see if he had seen her recently. They left shortly afterwards as he didn’t have any information about her whereabouts.

The following day they returned and asked to search Jackson’s flat for Miss MacKenzie, but they only checked the living room, hallway, kitchen and bedroom.

Recalling the second visit, PC Croall said: “He was slightly unhappy that we were revisiting again. However, he seemed normal other than that.

“I informed him that Kimberley MacKenzie had not yet been traced and we asked if we could look around his house. He willingly allowed us to look around the flat. I entered the bedroom. He followed. It was dark. I switched on my torch and shone the torch around the bedroom.”

PC Croall said there was a woman in the bed who identified herself as Higgins.

PC Croall added: “She said she hadn’t seen Kimberley. She said she didn’t speak to Kimberley.”

When asked where her colleague had searched, PC Croall replied: “She was searching the living room and kitchen.” She added: “I only went in the hall area.” Advocate depute Ashley Edwards QC asked: “How long were you in the flat for?” PC Croall said: “A matter of minutes.” Prosecutors claim Miss MacKenzie was struck with a hammer, machete and knife or similar items. It’s alleged her body was dismembered using a saw, knives and a screwdriver or similar instruments. Jackson, of Market Street, is further charged with two separate drugs offences as well as having a machete in a public place. Higgins, of Lower Craigo Street, also allegedly had a knife in Montrose High Street on October 27. The pair deny all the charges and the trial continues.

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