Murder accused took £1,000 from pensioner

COURT: Trial hears that Sandra Weir claimed to have mistakenly taken money from Mary Logie’s account

The woman accused of murdering Mary Logie persuaded the grandmother not to contact the police after she ‘wrongly’ took £1,000 from the pensioner’s bank account, a court has heard.

Nicola Brisland, 50, told a jury yesterday that her friend Sandra Weir, 41, said to her that she had accidentally taken the cash from Mrs Logie.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard Ms Brisland say that the 82-year-old discovered that the sum was missing at some point “probably” in the last year.

The discovery came before Mrs Logie lost her life at her home in Leven, Fife, in January this year.

She told the court that Weir acted as Mary’s “unofficial carer” and helped her with day-to-day tasks.

The court heard that Mary was going to go to the police about what happened with her money. But Ms Brisland said Weir told Mary that she had taken the £1,000.

Ms Brisland said: “She said Mary was going to go the police about it but it had been sorted out. She told Mary that she had used the wrong card.

“She said that she had sorted it out with her and that she was paying her back.”

Ms Brisland, also of Leven, was giving evidence on the fourth day of proceedings against Weir.

She began her evidence by stating that she and Weir had taken heroin together at various times last year.

Ms Brisland gave her evidence after being given an assurance by prosecution lawyer Alex Prentice QC that she wouldn’t be taken to court for implicating herself in criminal activity.

She told the court that she gave Weir a £150 loan on Boxing Day last year. Weir said to her that she would give the cash back on January 5 – the day that Mary Logie died.

She later spoke about the debt to police officers who were investigating the death of Mary Logie. She also told the court that Sandra helped Mary with tasks.

The husband of the accused told the trial that his wife had returned home screaming that there was “something wrong” with a neighbour.

Alexander Weir, 58, said his spouse had said she was going next door to check on Mary Logie, known as Rae, after trying to phone her and getting no answer.

Mr Weir said: “Within a minute or so she barged back in screaming ‘There’s something wrong with Rae. Come down’.”

He said that because of “the panic in her voice” he got up straight away and ran down to a landing where he saw his wife and another neighbour.

He said that when he was trying to find a pulse he heard Mrs Logie breathing, but as he was counting her breathing he noticed further wounds. He said: “I realised then it wasn’t a fall.”

Mr Weir agreed that his wife had had problems with drugs. Advocate depute Alex Prentice QC asked if he was aware of that in the summer of last year. He replied: “No, not really but I had my suspicions. I never, ever saw her taking drugs.”

Weir, of Leven, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

She is accused of killing the pensioner by repeatedly striking her on the head and body with a rolling pin or similar instrument.

She faces charges including attempting to defeat the ends of justice and stealing unknown quantities of money, two rings and Mrs Logie’s bank card or cards.

Prosecutors allege she used Mrs Logie’s bank card to steal £4,460 at cash machines between December 2014 and January 4 this year.

Weir’s solicitor advocate Murray Macara QC has lodged a special defence of alibi to the murder charge. Weir claims that she was at other locations at the time Mrs Logie was attacked.

The trial continues.

Within a minute or so she barged back in screaming ‘There’s something wrong with Rae. Come down’. ALEXANDER WEIR

Alexander Weir arrives at the High Court yesterday.