Garden body trial delayed over identity
THE trial of a Scottish music teacher accused of burying her husband’s body in the garden of their Portuguese home has been delayed for further inquiries.
Louise Khan, 51, was arrested after police with ground-penetrating radar found human remains at the remote farm dwelling she shared with Alyn Pennycook in the village of Linhares da Beira.
The pianist had been due to go on trial yesterday accused of ‘corpse desecration’ and could face up to two years in prison.
But her lawyers successfully argued that investigators should establish whether the remains found on February 9 are those of Edinburgh-born truck driver Mr Pennycook. The regional court at Celorico Da Beira was told that the body was found in an advanced state of decomposition and without any identification documents. An autopsy has already ruled out homicide.
The court has also requested proof of the precise nature of the relationship between Mr Pennycook and Khan, as no marriage documents have been found.
The court referred the case back to the public prosecutor for further investigation, which may involve contact with Scottish police forces. It is the second time Khan’s trial has been adjourned after her defence counsel asked for more time to prepare their case on February 11.
The court agreed to continue bail subject to strict conditions which require Khan to present herself every day at the offices of the military police in Celorico Da Beira.
Last week, a close friend of Khan said it was Mr Pennycook’s dying wish to be buried in the garden.
Killian Steele, 52, said the couple moved to Portugal three years ago and had ‘doted on one another’, but Mr Pennycook died last year, aged 59, after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. He said the couple were married about 20 years ago and lived initially in Lochgelly, Fife.