Fire-death accused 'had petrol cans in car'

A MAN accused of killing his first wife by drugging her with Temazepam, crashing his car and setting it alight carried four cans of petrol in the vehicle in the weeks before she died, a court heard.

Claire Morris had to be identified by her dental records after she died in the blazing car on a Scottish country road, the trial at the High Court of Glasgow was told.

Malcolm Webster, 51, denies murdering Ms Morris in 1994 to fraudulently obtain 200,000 in insurance policies.

Lecturer Susan Campbell, 47, a friend of Ms Morris's, told prosecutor Derek Ogg QC that there was an "overwhelming" smell of petrol in Webster's Jeep one to two weeks before the fatal crash.

Ms Campbell, whose husband died in a car crash in 1988, said: "I asked Claire if there was something wrong with the car. She said there wasn't, there was fuel in the back of the car.

"It was so bad that I suggested that we open all the windows."

She was asked by Mr Ogg: "Had you ever smelled that before in the car when you were in it?" and she replied: "No."

Ms Campbell added: "She said Malcolm used to carry the cans of petrol because he was afraid they would break down."

The court was told that Ms Campbell warned Webster of the dangers of carrying petrol in the car.

The court was told that there were four canisters of petrol in the car - two large and two small.

She said: "I thought it was dangerous and he should remove it from the cars. I don't have any memory, but I think there was a comment that some if it was for the lawnmower."

The court was told that Ms Campbell repeatedly tried to contact Webster after the crash because she knew what it was like to lose someone in that way.

Eventually they met in a Greek restaurant in Aberdeen and she said they talked about the crash.

Ms Campbell added: "I have very little recollection of that night. I went home and phoned my mother and cried and said: 'He's moved on already. I still can't get over my husband. I find that very strange.'"

Ms Morris died in the car on the Auchenhuive to Tarves Road, Kingoodie, Aberdeenshire on 27 or 28 May 1994.

Crown junior David Hay read a joint minute stating that a forensic dentist had examined her dental records, compared them to the teeth on the body and found they matched.

The trial also heard from former GP Francis Howarth, 65, who said Ms Morris had appointments with him at his surgery in Aberdeen on 29 April and 13 May, 1994.

Dr Howarth told advocate depute Derek Ogg QC that on the first visit she complained of having been fatigued for six weeks.

The jury was told that Dr Howarth took blood tests and these came back normal.He was then asked by Mr Ogg: "You did not do any toxicology tests to see if she was taking, abusing or being given drugs?" and he replied: "I didn't test for that."Dr Howarth was asked if he would have prescribed Temazepam for her and he replied: "No".

He was then asked: "Would Temazepam cause you to be sleepy?" and Dr Howarth said: "That is the purpose of that medication."

Webster also denies trying to kill his second wife Felicity Drumm in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1999 to cash in on their life insurance.

He is also alleged to have formed a fraudulent scheme between 2004 and 2008 to enter into a bigamous marriage with lover Simone Banarjee to get access to her estate.

Webster denies all the charges. The trial before judge Lord Bannatyne continues.