Gerbil suspect 'is in Spain'

Mr Paterson is one of eight people accused by Ross Monaghan of involvement in the death of Kevin "Gerbil" Carroll.

Mr Monaghan denies murdering Mr Carroll by gunning him down in the Asda car park in Robroyston, Glasgow, on January 13, 2010.

Advocate depute Iain McSporran, prosecuting, asked Mrs O'Donnell when she last saw Mr Paterson, whom she knows as Billy, and she replied: "My son's engagement party in Cumbernauld Town Hall."

The jury was told this party took place after the shooting of Mr Carroll.

She told the jury the last time she saw Mr Paterson was a week after the engagement party.

Mr McSporran asked: "Do you know where he is?" Mrs O'Donnell replied: "I believe he is in Spain to work in bars." The prosecutor then said: "When did you know he was going to Spain?"

She replied: "He told the family he was going to Spain in December 2009."

Mr McSporran asked if Mr Paterson going to Spain after the murder of Kevin Carroll was a surprise. She said: "No."

The prosecutor said to Mrs O'Donnell: "I suggest to you it was obvious with the close relationship you had with Billy Paterson he has fled the country to stay away for as long as possible." She replied: "No, not in my opinion."

When asked when she expected him back, she said: "I don't know."

She was then asked: "Are you aware the police are looking for him?" She said: "Yes."

Mr McSporran then said: "Are you aware that they are looking for him for a charge of murder?" She replied: "Yes."

Later the partner of Mr Monaghan told how he was arrested in a dawn swoop on July 30, 2011.

Jade McLaughlan, 26, a graduate who is training to be a teacher, said: "We were both in bed and got wakened up with police shouting Ross's name. They shouted for Ross to come downstairs."

The court was told she was allowed to take some clothes down for Mr Monaghan to wear and was then told to go back upstairs.

Ms McLaughlan, who was pregnant at the time with the couple's daughter Orla, said she got dressed and was taken to an unmarked police car, where she remained for 45 minutes while a search of the house was carried out by 15 armed police officers.

She added: "I had no idea why they had arrested Ross."

Ms McLaughlan was asked if she had been aware of the murder of Mr Carroll in January 2010 and replied: "No, nothing whatsoever."

Mr McSporran then asked: "Did you pay much heed to the news?" She replied: "To be honest, no."

She was shown a black Stone Island waterproof bomber jacket seized from the house and said it belonged to Mr Monaghan.

Defence QC Derek Ogg said witnesses had identified clothing worn by the gunmen as being a thigh-length canvas jacket or a fleece or a puffa jacket and asked Ms McLaughlan if the bomber jacket could be described in this way. She said: "No."

It is alleged that while masked and acting with others, Mr Monaghan murdered 29-year-old Mr Carroll by repeatedly discharging loaded handguns at him, shooting him on the head and body.

The trial, before judge Lord Brailsford, continues.