Nat Fraser will not be called to the stand

A MAN accused of murdering his estranged wife 14 years ago will not be giving evidence at his trial, a court has heard.

John Scott QC made the statement as he began calling witnesses for the defence at the trial of businessman Nat Fraser.

Earlier, Alex Prentice QC formally closed the prosecution case as the trial entered its fifth week at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Fruit and vegetable wholesaler Fraser ( 53) denies acting with others to murder his wife arlene (33). He pleads alibi and incrimination.

The mother of two, of Smith Street, New Elgin, Moray, vanished on April 28 1998.

Mr Scott told the court: “Mr Fraser will not be giving evidence.”

That final Crown witness was one of Mrs Fraser’s friends, who told the court about a conversation she had with the alleged victim.

“She said that Nat had said to her, if she wasn’t going to live with him, she wouldn’t be living with anybody,” recalled Marion Taylor (52).

The first witness called by the defence was financial adviser James Smith (57), who said he had a meeting with Fraser around 10 days before arlene went missing.

He said Fraser initially believed his wife would be entitled to half of everything if they divorced, but he reassured him that the financial implications would not be so significant.

The trial before Lord Bracadale, continues today.