KEY WITNESSES GAVE CHILLING INSIGHT INTO NIGHT that led to horror for young mum
THE landmark legal ruling against the footballers relied heavily on the testimony of two key witnesses – Billy McNeill, a taxi driver of 19 years’ experience, and 40-year-old nightclub bouncer Gayle McGregor, left.
Mr McNeill, 54, took Goodwillie, Robertson and Denise Clair home that night, and said he was “really surprised” the case didn’t go to a criminal trial. Speaking to The Sunday Post, he added: “I think it deserved a criminal trial. It’s a shame, especially for Denise Clair.”
He said he thought the pair were guilty and recalled the odd atmosphere in the taxi back to Armadale that night.
Goodwillie sat in the front seat, confidently chatting to Mr McNeill. But Robertson and Denise, who sat in the back with a seat between them, seemed “nervous”.
Mr McNeill insists Denise didn’t speak to either footballer throughout the journey. He said: “She seemed a wee bit nervous. As if she was trying to convince herself she’d be alright – I believe she thought she was going to a party or something.
“David Robertson was very quiet. Very, very quiet. Goodwillie was different. He was outgoing. He kept asking Robertson if he had the keys.
They only knew they were going to Armadale, they didn’t know the exact address. It wasn’t their house.
“When we eventually drew up, the house was in darkness. There were no other cars – no other taxis coming in the back of me or anything.”
Mr McNeill dropped the trio off at about 2.30am and Goodwillie handed over the fare. Denise seemed reluctant to leave the cab, but eventually got out.
The taxi driver added: “If we all had hindsight, we’d be millionaires. I should have said, ‘I’ll just take you home.’ You feel rotten about it, but it’s one of those things.”
Gayle McGregor, who was then a door steward at Chalmers nightclub, told the court that Denise was so drunk when she left the club that she was not “in control of herself”.
The bouncer said she had been worried for the young woman’s wellbeing and recommended she be taken to hospital. But Robertson insisted he would take her home.