Trial told woman’s ‘friendly nature’ led to death

The “friendly and trusting” nature of a mother of 11 strangled to death in her own flat “ultimately brought about her death”, a court has heard.

Mary McLaughlin, 58, was found dead at her home in Partick in Glasgow in October 1984 after a night out at bars playing dominoes, the High Court in Glasgow has heard.

Graham McGill, 59, denies murdering her and fastening a belt from her dressing gown around her throat with intent to rape on September 26 or 27 that year.

Summing up the case yesterday, prosecutor Alex Prentice QC said: “She trusted people.

“That may be an interpretation you have of Mary McLaughlin, someone who was friendly and trusting and I suggest that ultimately brought about her death.

“People went back to her flat, it was part of her trusting nature.”

He told jurors: “I suggest you can conclude this was a sexual attack... the evidence in this case I suggest provides a body of cogent evidence which points toward the guilt of Graham McGill.”

The trial was told on Wednesday that DNA samples on her dressing gown, a cigarette end, and a black bra found near her flat in Crathie Court on Laurel Street all link McGill.

Summing up, defence counsel Sarah Livingstone said McGill did not match the description of a man that witness David Seager said appeared to be following Ms McLaughlin on the night she was last seen alive.

Ms Livingstone also said “DNA is not a magic solution to solving crimes”.

Jurors are due to return today for further directions from judge Lord Burns before retiring to consider their verdict.