A footprint from trainers found on Amber Gibson’s underwear buried near her body matched a pair seized from her brother, a murder trial has heard.
Connor Gibson, 20, had his Adidas Gazelle trainers seized from his home and analysed by a forensic scientist.
Jurors were told that the marking on the bra has an “agreement in pattern” with the trainers.
His co-accused Stephen Corrigan, 44, who is alleged to have found Amber’s body in Cadzow Glen, Hamilton, Lanarkshire, told police he had never met her – despite his DNA being found at the scene.
Corrigan is accused of breach of the peace and attempting to defeat the ends of justice between November 26 and 28, 2021.
Gibson is charged with the sexual assault and murder of the 16-year-old.
Jurors earlier heard that grey Adidas Gazelle trainers were seized from his room at the Blue Triangle accommodation in Hamilton on the day Amber’s body was found.
The High Court in Glasgow was also told that Amber’s bra was found by police in the undergrowth near her body.
Forensic scientist Laura Wilcock, 45, told the court that she analysed the trainers and the mark on the bra.
She said: “There was an agreement in the patterns of the shoe found at the Blue Triangle.”
The witness also suggested that the mark on the bra was made while it was not being worn.
Detective Inspector Stephen McGrath, 39, told jurors that Corrigan’s DNA was found on swabs of her body.
He added that Corrigan claimed never to have known Gibson.
The witness told the court Corrigan stated that he remembered the weekend of the alleged murder.
DI McGrath claimed Corrigan, of Blantyre, Lanarkshire, told him that he spent the weekend staying at his dad’s house who lived near him.
He stated that he attended a hospital appointment on the Saturday and went to a local shop for sweets.
The witness claimed he asked Corrigan – who used to live in Hamilton – for the last time he visited Cadzow Glen and was told July 2021.
He stated that he was drinking with his son and his friend at the time.
Corrigan has a defence of alibi of which the terms were shown to the court by Mr Goddard.
The alibi claims that Corrigan was in the Hillhead area of Hamilton on Saturday, November 27.
Prosecutor Richard Goddard KC asked DI McGrath if he was told by Corrigan that he was in Hamilton before going back to Blantyre and he replied: “No.”
DI McGrath stated to Corrigan that his DNA was found on Amber’s body.
Corrigan stated to the officer that he had “no explanation” and that it was a “shock to me”.
Rhonda Anderson, defending, asked the witness if he cooperated fully and answered every question.
DI McGrath replied: “That’s correct.”
The trial continues before Judge Lord Mulholland.
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