A double homicide suspect allegedly killed a toddler throughout a sport of cover and search at a home in Dundee, a courtroom has heard.
Warning: This story incorporates graphic content material and particulars of alleged sexual abuse
In video proof proven to jurors, a major school-aged little one claimed they by no means noticed two-year-old Jellica Burke once more after the sport with 52-year-old Andrew Innes.
Innes denies murdering Jellica and her mom Bennylyn Burke, 25, and has as a substitute lodged a particular defence of diminished duty.
Innes is at present on trial for homicide on the High Court in Edinburgh.
The little one giving proof, who can’t be named for authorized causes, claimed Innes “pretended” Jellica was hiding however had “killed” her.
The little one believed the alleged killing occurred within the rest room as Innes shut her out of the room.
A joint minute of agreed proof between prosecutors and the defence crew was learn out to a jury firstly of the trial.
It was accepted that Innes stabbed Ms Burke on the physique with a knife in addition to repeatedly placing her on the pinnacle with a hammer and the deal with of the blade.
It was additionally accepted that Innes asphyxiated Jellica earlier than burying each our bodies below the kitchen flooring of his property.
Innes denies additional prices of abducting and raping the first school-aged little one and making an attempt to defeat the ends of justice.
Read extra:
Andrew Innes admits killing Bennylyn and Jellica Burke however denies homicide
Andrew Innes informed police officer: “She’s under the floor”
The courtroom was closed to the general public whereas video proof recorded with the alleged rape sufferer was performed to the jury.
The little one described sexual acts they reportedly had been informed to hold out by Innes and claimed they had been paid cash after every alleged assault.
The little one informed the courtroom that Innes even offered them with a handbag to maintain their ‘financial savings’ in. They claimed that Innes additionally used handcuffs on them, describing that it felt “terrible”.
Forensic scientist Barry Mitchell later took to the stand and mentioned that Innes’s DNA was discovered on the kid’s pyjama bottoms.
He mentioned the kid and Ms Burke’s DNA had been additionally discovered on Innes’s dressing robe.
All of the alleged incidents are mentioned to have taken place at Innes’s home in Troon Avenue, Dundee, between 20 February and 5 March 2021.
Earlier this week, the courtroom heard that Mrs Burke, initially from the Philippines, had lived in Bristol after marrying Lexington Burke, 65, in August 2019. Their relationship later broke down.
Ms Burke and Innes had been then mentioned to have met through an internet relationship website. Innes reportedly confirmed to police that Ms Burke had travelled from Bristol to Dundee with him.
While giving proof, PC Gavin Burns, 33, informed the courtroom that Innes admitted killing Ms Burke when Police Scotland officers visited his house as a part of a high-risk lacking individuals inquiry.
After once more being challenged by PC Burns on Ms Burke’s whereabouts, Innes reportedly confessed: “I killed her, she’s under the floor. We got into a fight and I killed her.”
He then reportedly queried what the jail sentence was for homicide, earlier than allegedly including: “It wasn’t premeditated.”
The trial, earlier than Lord Beckett, continues.
Source: information.sky.com”