Trial halted as Tobin falls ill (From Chelmsford Weekly News)

Trial halted as Tobin falls ill

1:06pm Friday 3rd July 2009

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THE trial of child killer Peter Tobin for abducting and murdering an Essex sixth-former 18 years ago was halted after he was taken ill.

Jurors at Chelmsford Crown Court were told, last Thursday, he had complained of feeling unwell and had been taken to hospital. The court was later told he has shingles and the trial was adjourned until next week.

Tobin, 62, denies murdering former Chelmsford County High School student Dinah McNicol, from Tillingham.

Before the adjournment, the court heard from Tobin’s former wife, Cathy Wilson, who had a son with Tobin in 1987 and married in 1989 – although they were separated by 1991.

David Tremlett, the last known person to see Miss McNicol alive, was called to give evidence.

He said he set off with Miss McNicol from a music festival, in Liphook, Hampshire, and hitchhiked back towards London.

After two journeys they were picked up from a garage on the A3 by a man in an old four-door car, probably green, with Mr Tremlett sitting in the back, next to a child’s seat, and Miss McNicol in the front.

He was dropped off by junction eight of the M25, leaving Miss McNicol alone with the man, but he told the court he was surprised with the route the driver took as he thought the best route would have been along the A25. But the man in the car wanted to take another route along the motorway.

Miss McNicol vanished in August 1991 and her remains were found buried in the garden of one of Tobin’s former homes, in Margate, Kent, in November 2007.

Jurors have been told Tobin is already serving a life sentence after being convicted of the murder of 15-year-old Vicky Hamilton, in February 1991.

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