Officer told to ‘give up’ trying to save sister’s life

Accused sat calmly smoking a cigarette on the sofa as policeman attempted to perform CPR on woman

A court has heard how a Fife man accused of raping and murdering his sister told a police officer trying to save her life: “She’s already dead, you might as well give up.”

Charles Gordon made the comment as he calmly sat on a sofa smoking a cigarette while PC Craig Walker carried out CPR on Elizabeth Bowe lying yards away, the High Court in Glasgow was told.

Gordon, 52, denies murdering Ms Bowe, 50, by putting a dressing gown around her neck, compressing it and placing a bag over her head at her home in Bobby Jones Place on September 17 last year.

He also denies raping Ms Bowe, and behaving in a threatening manner towards detectives.

PC Walker told the court how he and colleague PC Keith Leinster were on mobile patrol when they were called to an incident at a flat in Bobby Jones Place at around 9.25pm on the evening in question.

PC Walker said he had to force entry to the communal door, but was told to come in by Gordon when he knocked on Ms Bowe’s door.

He saw Gordon sitting on the sofa smoking a cigarette, with Ms Bowe lying motionless beside a coffee table on the floor.

PC Walker told the court that she was only dressed on her top half wearing a vest top, with her bra undone.

He saw that she had blood in her mouth and what he initially thought was a blue blanket wrapped “like a scarf” around her neck.

He also saw a torn and stretched carrier bag with blood on it nearby.

PC Walker told the court that he started doing chest compressions, as he couldn’t do mouth to mouth due to the presence of blood, and heard Gordon say: “She’s already dead, you might as well give up.”

While PC Walker’s focus was on trying to save Ms Bowe’s life, PC Leinster handcuffed Gordon.

He said Gordon had been compliant and had not shown any emotion, although he had been “a bit rambling” as he appeared under the influence of alcohol.

The court then heard how Gordon had told police: “I wish it hadn’t happened, but it did.”

After being taken to Kirkcaldy police station, Gordon said: “Wee sister tried to be a wee s**t, so I tried to kill her.”

A short time later, he said: “Nothing to hide, I know what I’ve done.”

Asked by prosecutor Iain McSporran what Gordon’s mood was like, PC Leinster replied: “He didn’t appear to be a man who was distraught at the potential loss of life of his sister.”

However, solicitor Iain Paterson put it to PC Leinster that Gordon’s apparent lack of emotion could have been a sign he was in shock.

He also queried PC Leinster’s notebook entries, suggesting the statements attributed to his client were not full sentences.

PC Leinster replied: “Generally when I’m dealing with people who are intoxicated, their management of full English is not brilliant.”

Sergeant James Scarborough, who had been a Detective Constable at Kirkcaldy at the time, confirmed Gordon had made the statements alleged after his detention.

Sgt Scarborough added Gordon became “quite abusive” when trying to move him from his cell at 5.18am the following morning and told him “you’ll be next”.

The court was also played the recording of a police interview with Gordon, during which he repeatedly used the phrase “no comment” in response to questioning.

However, at one point when detectives pointed out Gordon had done the “honourable” thing by phoning police and waiting at the scene, Gordon suddenly said: “Would you rather I did a runner and flung her f ***** g body in the wheelie bin round the back?

“Yeah, I f ***** g done it and I’m not going into detail. I can’t be a***d, OK?”

The trial continues.

I wish it hadn’t happened, but it did

Police at the scene in September last year.