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Court / Two to stand trial accused of murdering Tracy Walker

A TRIAL date has been set for two suspects accused of murdering Tracy Walker at Ladies Drive, in Lerwick, in July this year.

Ross MacDougall (31) and Dawn Smith (28) are both charged with killing Tracy Walker on 30 July. They are also accused of trying to rob her.

Prosecutors claim the 40 year old suffered blunt force trauma “by means unknown”, had her neck compressed and was repeatedly struck with a knife.

The pair are further accused of assaulting a man there on the same day by brandishing a knife at him and did intend to rob him.

They are also accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice after the alleged killing. It is said they asked a man to provide an alibi, a change of clothes and a bag.

Prosecutors claim this was to help “conceal and destroy evidence’ as well as “avoid detection”.

MacDougall alone faces a separate allegation of taking a car from a house in Lerwick.

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Smith is also charged with having a knife in a public place.

The pair denied the accusations during a short hearing at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday.

MacDougall’s lawyer Shahid Latif and Paul Nelson, defending Smith, agreed with prosecutor Duncan McPhie that a trial could be set.

Lord Turnbull fixed a trial due to begin on 14 April next year at the High Court in Livingston.

Grant McCabe of Glasgow Court Press Agency

If you have been affected by crime, help is available. Whether you are victim, a witness, or the accused, you can find independent, impartial, and confidential support in Shetland.

For victims of general crime:

For anyone affected by crime & harm seeking a restorative approach:

For anyone affected by gender-based violence, including domestic abuse, coercive control, stalking, sexual assault, and rape:

Shetland Women’s Aid

Phone: 01595 692070
Web: https://www.shetlandwa.org
Email: office@shetlandwa.org

The Compass Centre (Shetland Rape Crisis)

Phone: 01595 744402 or 08088 010302
Web: https://www.compasscentre.org
Email: contact@compasscentre.org

For anyone affected by substance use:

Shetland Recovery Hub and Community Network

Phone: 01595 744402
Web: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075791869200
Email: recoveryhub@shetland.gov.uk

Shetland Alcohol & Drug Partnership

Phone: 01595 743060 or 07342 077789
Web: https://shetlandadp.org.uk
Email: shet.sadp@nhs.scot

Substance Use Recovery Service

Phone: 01595 743006

 
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