Fife man guilty of murdering own sister

High Court jury finds Charles Gordon guilty of brutal killing

A Fife man is facing life behind bars after being convicted of strangling his own sister to death in St Andrews.

Charles Gordon, 52, was yesterday found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow of brutally murdering Elizabeth Bowe in her flat in Bobby Jones Place on September 17 last year.

After a four-day trial, a jury was convinced that Gordon deliberately killed his 50-year-old sister by placing his hands around her neck and compressing it, putting a dressing gown around her neck and placing a bag over her head.

Ms Bowe was rushed to hospital but never regained consciousness, and died three days later.

Residents living near the flat where Elizabeth Bowe lost her life last year have expressed their relief that a “sick, sick man” is behind bars.

Charles Gordon and his sister Elizabeth Bowe had not lived in the quiet street on the edge of the north east Fife town for long when he killed her.

Last night neighbours said they did not know the pair well, and that they had been shocked by the crime in their midst.

One man, who did not want to be named, said: “He’s a sick, sick man – I’m really happy that he’s off the streets. We were scared in case the police hadn’t got the right person – we were scared for our safety.

“We didn’t know them well because they were new neighbours from a different area. We didn’t really speak to them, because they were a bit rough.

“It’s sad though because a human life is still a human life.

“On the day it happened we came home and saw the police were here – we were shocked. I’m from Glasgow and even for me it was a bit shocking.

“The police were at our door three times, which was a bit scary because we weren’t told what was going on until it was made public.”

Another man, who also wanted to remain anonymous, said he had previously drunk with the couple in their flat.

He said: “I didn’t know him that well and she’d only been here about a year. She looked after him – I saw him sometimes when he was up staying with her.

“They never appeared to be argumentative or have any ill-will towards each other – but who knows what goes on behind closed doors.”

“He wasn’t the brightest but he seemed OK, though I think he took a bit of drugs.”

“It doesn’t surprise me that he was convicted.”

We were scared for our safety.

NEIGHBOUR

Gordon appeared to smirk as he was led away after the sentence was handed down.