Mum of two’s husband was convicted twice but still refuses to give up his grisly secret
APRIL 28 will mark the 19th anniversary of Arlene Fraser’s disappearance.
The mum of two’s remains haven’t been found and her jailed husband Nat refuses to give up his grisly secret. Here’s what we know:
MAY 9, 1987 – Fraser and Arlene marry. Ian “Pedro” Taylor is the best man.
MARCH 22, 1998 –A violent row breaks out between the couple in their Elgin home. Nat is charged with the attempted murder of his wife and released on bail. He moves in with Taylor.
APRIL 5 – Arlene’s car is set on fire in her driveway.
APRIL 28 – Arlene vanishes from her home.
MAY 7 – Her engagement, wedding and eternity rings reappear in the bathroom.
APRIL 21, 1999 – Police quiz Brendan Surgenor on Lanzarote. He tells the Record: “I’m not the hitman.”
FEBRUARY 9, 2000 – Fraser admits assaulting Arlene. He goes on to serve
nine months of an 18-month sentence.
FEBRUARY 1, 2001 – Farmer Hector Dick is jailed for a year for lying about a car linked to Arlene’s disappearance. He bought the car for Fraser the night before Arlene vanished.
APRIL 2 – Fraser is jailed for a year after admitting legal aid fraud.
JUNE 1 – Fraser’s pal Glenn Lucas is held on suspicion of involvement in Arlene’s murder. He is later charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.
JUNE 19 – Fraser and Dick are charged with conspiring
to murder Arlene. Dick tries to hang himself in prison.
APRIL 26, 2002 – Fraser, Dick and Lucas are jointly charged with murder and conspiracy to murder.
JANUARY 7, 2003 – The trial begins at the High Court in Edinburgh. JANUARY 14 – Charges
against Lucas and Dick are dropped.
JANUARY 20 – Dick turns Crown witness, telling how Arlene was murdered by a hitman and her body disposed of by Fraser.
JANUARY 29 - A jury finds Fraser guilty of murdering Arlene. He is jailed for a minimum of 25 years.
MAY 12, 2005 - Fraser wins the right to appeal and is released on bail.
NOVEMBER 13, 2007 – His appeal hearing starts in Edinburgh.
DECEMBER 6 – Fraser’s bail is withdrawn at the end of the appeal hearing. MAY 2, 2008 – Appeal fails. MARCH 24, 2009 – Court of Criminal Appeal judges refuse Fraser’s bid to appeal to the Privy Council. MAY 31, 2010 – He takes appeal to the Supreme Court. MAY 25, 2011 - Fraser wins his appeal and his conviction is quashed. The Crown immediately move to bring fresh proceedings.
APRIL 23, 2012 – Fraser goes on trial again.
MAY 30 – He is convicted of “instructing, instigating and organising” his wife’s murder and is sent back to prison for 17 years to see out the rest of his 25-year stretch.
OCTOBER 2013 - Appeal against second conviction refused. Fraser continues to protest his innocence.