'Only killer would go to extreme lengths to destroy evidence'

Jurors in the Emma Faulds murder trial were told only a killer would go to the “extreme lengths” the man charged with her death allegedly went to.

Prosecutor Paul Kearney made the claim as he made his closing speech at the trial of Ross Willox at the a High Court in Glasgow.

The 41-year-old is charged with murdering Emma, 39, at his home in Fairfield Park, Monkton, Ayrshire, on April 28, 2019, by means unknown and then dumping her remains in Glentrool Forest, Dumfries and Galloway.

Mr Kearney said: “Her body was so decomposed the pathologist was unable to carry out such investigations that he would in other cases of death.

“This might show that his efforts were a success. You heard the efforts and steps he took to destroy evidence to hide her body so it wasn’t recovered.

“The evidence and facts have been established and, as a result, he left a trail behind him, trying to destroy evidence. He left a trail of evidence which good police work was able to uncover.

“You look at a determined attempt to create a false narrative to conceal and destroy evidence. It shows the nature of the crime being covered up.

“The Crown invites you to believe Emma never returned on April 29 and never left his house alive.”

It was put to jurors by Mr Kearney that he believed Willox was spotted by CCTV in a car close to his house before driving a short distance and stopping again.

Mr Kearney said: “If you accept Ross Willox was wiping the steering wheel and other places in the car, isn’t that clear evidence of him trying to remove something from the steering wheel be it finger prints or a virus I suppose or other evidence.

“Ross Willox thought a forensic examination was on the cards. Why would Ross Willox think that if Emma was safe inside her flat?

“The only inference looking at the evidence in this case is that Ross Willox having killed Emma went to the extreme lengths we know about to destroy evidence.

“These are lengths only a murderer would go to.”

Willox, it was said, made a “determined attempt” to “create a false narrative”.

Mr Kearney also claimed that information Willox gave to police when questioned about leaving on foot was a “pack of lies” and also stated it could have been “illusion or deception.”

The advocate depute will continue his speech on Thursday. The trial, before judge Lord Mulholland, continues.