Alan Bennett: Jury retires in murder trial
The jury in the trial of a man accused of murdering an Aberdeen businessman has retired to consider its verdict.
It is alleged that Alan Bennett, 56, was stabbed to death by Paul Balgowan, 24 after his prostitute girlfriend lured the Insurance Broker with the promise of sex.
Street worker Julie Carroll, 24, admitted a lesser charge of culpable homicide last week which was accepted at the High Court in Aberdeen.
Mr Bennett died following an incident in Oldmill Road in Aberdeen last May following a works night out.
Carroll told the court that after accepting £100 from the deceased for sex, her then-partner Balgowan ran into the alley demanding more money and stabbed her client.
However Balgowan claims it was Carroll who stabbed Mr Bennett while trying to break up a fight between the two.
Balgowan was charged with murder, attempting to pervert the course of justice and conspiracy to rob and assault other men. However, on Wednesday, all charges except the murder charge were dropped to allow the jury to concentrate on the most serious allegation.
He denies the charge. The jury retired at around 11.30am on Monday.
