Death trial told of chance encounter

A BANK employee told a trial of a chance encounter with a man she knew, while he was allegedly carrying out a £5,000 robbery at her branch.

Paul Breslin ( 41) is accused of forcing haulage boss Alexander Ormiston to cash a cheque there and hand over the cash after beating him up, along with two accomplices.

At the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday, banking adviser Nikki Cowan (25) said Breslin’s family lived near her family.

He had waved to her the night before the bank incident while he was driving his van and she was visiting her “nana”.

The following morning he turned up at the Bank of Scotland’s branch in New Kirkgate, Leith, in the company of “an older gentlemen” whose face showed clear signs of injury.

Ms Cowan said she smelled alcohol on Breslin and he told her he had been drinking the previous night and introduced the man who was with him as his uncle.

“He said he had been out drinking and his uncle had fallen.”

Other bank staff identified Breslin’s companion as Mr Ormiston, a regular customer at the branch.

A week later, police came to the bank asking Ms Cowan to identify photos of Breslin.

By that time, Mr Ormiston (63) was dying in hospital, the trial has heard.

Brian Kennedy (31), of Myres Drive, Glenrothes, Breslin of Whitecraig, Musselburgh, and Ian Oliver (26), also of Musselburgh, deny culpable homicide.

It is alleged that on May 19 2011 they forced their way into Mr Ormiston’s home in Peasehill Fauld, Rosyth, and demanded money.

The charge alleges that Mr Ormiston was handcuffed and threatened with knives held against his neck as well as with an imitation firearm.

Mr Ormiston was allegedly kicked and punched before being taken in his own black Peugeot 407 to the Leith bank, where he was made to withdraw £5,000 and hand it over to his attackers.

Mr Ormiston June 3 in hospital.

The trial has also heard that Kennedy and Mr Ormiston — proprietor of a transport company based at Leith Docks — were locked in a legal dispute over £80,000.

Ms Cowan ag reed with defence QC Brian McConnachie that Breslin was acting perfectly normally in the bank.

“He didn’t seem shocked to see you? Annoyed? Worried? Anxious?” asked the lawyer. “No,” replied Ms Cowan. The trial continues.

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