'Blood-stained clothes' found in bin at murder accused's home police officer tells Amber Gibson trial

“Blood-stained” clothes were found in a wheelie bin outside where a man accused of murdering his sister was living, a trial heard on Tuesday.

Connor Gibson, 20, is charged with the sexual assault and murder of 16-year-old Amber Gibson at Cadzow Glen in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, on Friday, November 26, 2021.

Jurors heard that Gibson was living at Blue Triangle accommodation in Hamilton at the time of the alleged killing.

A police officer told the High Court in Glasgow that she found a white Levi’s t-shirt and a pair of grey shorts in the bin.

Constable Rachel Morning said a member of staff told her a colleague had seen Gibson on the night Amber went missing.

“He said the staff member saw Connor Gibson leave his room and place something in the bin outside and run to his room,” the officer said.

PC Morning claimed she went on to search each wheelie bin that was outside of the Blue Triangle.

She said: “I observed what I believed to be clothing – a light coloured t-shirt, grey jogging bottoms or shorts and within a crisp packet there was some fluffy object.”

Mr Goddard asked if there was something that drew her attention to the shorts.

She replied: “There appeared to be staining which appeared to be like blood on them.”

Detective sergeant Joanne McCall, 46, told the court she later attended and recovered clothing from the bin.

Jurors were shown pictures of the clothing with DS McCall describing the t-shirt as having “red staining” on it.

A pair of Adidas Gazelle trainers seized had “dirt and staining to the sole”.

A Canada Goose jacket recovered from Gibson’s room also had a stain on the front and arm.

Gibson later told officers in his police statement that he had been wearing a Rangers top and camouflage shorts on the night of Amber’s disappearance.

Gibson further claimed he had put his clothes in the washing basket after returning home from a walk with Amber following a disagreement between them.

The court was shown CCTV of Amber’s final moments alive where Gibson was noted to be wearing grey Adidas trainers and grey shorts.

The court heard from detective sergeant Karen Murray, 43, who claimed to have taken a statement from Gibson at around 11.30am on Sunday, November 28.

The statement read out with Gibson reportedly saying he had a Hummel Rangers top on, camouflage shorts as well as a black Canada Goose jacket.

Gibson stated after a disagreement with Amber he went to a friend’s house before walking to the Blue Triangle.

He claimed to have fallen into a ditch near Hamilton Accies’ football ground which made his legs and hands “manky”.

He said: “I put my clothes in the washing basket and went for a shower.”

CCTV of Gibson and Amber walking near Cadzow Bridge on the night of the alleged murder was then played to the court.

Detective constable David Cameron, 39, identified that Gibson was wearing a “black jacket with a fur hood, grey shorts and grey Adidas trainers”.

He also stated he could see that Gibson was wearing a white top under his jacket.

DC Cameron said the pair continued to walk in the direction of Cadzow Glen at around 10pm.

Jurors watched footage of the pair walking past an ice cream shop at the time.

Gibson was not picked up by the same CCTV footage again until an hour and 40 minutes later at 11.40pm.

DC Cameron described Gibson as being by himself and that Amber is not caught on CCTV again.

The witness said Gibson appeared to rub mud from his shorts and had a cut or blood on his ankle.

He was noted to stop at the ML3 bar and speak to two men outside before continuing his journey.

CCTV followed Gibson from Cadzow Bridge to a similar route which saw him arrive back at the Blue Triangle before midnight.

Footage from the premises showed Gibson in a change of clothes leaving the accommodation at 12.22am.

DC Cameron said: “He walked towards the bin area and could be seen carrying a bin with items within.”

Co-accused Stephen Corrigan, 45, is charged with breach of the peace and attempting to defeat the ends of justice. He has lodged a special defence of alibi.

It is claimed Corrigan found Amber’s body, but rather than alert police, he inappropriately touched her and then hid her remains under bushes and branches.

This is said to have occurred sometime between November 26 and November 28, 2021.

The trial continues before judge Lord Mulholland.