Driver saw 'youth like Mitchell' Jury told of sighting.
Byline: Gordon McIlWraithA YOUTH who looked like murder accused Luke Mitchell stepped out of view when he saw an approaching motorist, a court heard yesterday.
Carol Heatlie slowed down to look at the youngster who withdrew into a driveway.
The incident happened on June 30 last year, near where Jodi Jones, 14, was allegedly murdered by Mitchell.
Ms Heatlie, 46, a human resources manager, said she was driving along Newbattle Road in Dalkeith, Midlothian, at about 6.05pm.
The High Court in Edinburgh has already heard that Roan's Dyke path - the area where Jodi's mutilated body was found - runs off the road.
Ms Heatlie said she first saw the youth at the driveway which is close to the entrance to Mitchell's home in Newbattle Abbey Crescent.
She said: 'He was standing on the pavement and down the road.When he saw my car, he quickly stepped back into the driveway out of my view.
'The fact he stepped back made me wonder what he was doing. I slowed down and watched what he was doing and looked into the driveway.
'I am sure he saw me looking at him and kind of held his head down to the side.
She later heard about the killing and said she saw a TV interview with Mitchell and his mother.
Asked by advocate depute Alan Turnbull, QC, if she recognised Mitchell as the person she had seen, Mrs Heatlie replied: 'I recognised him as looking very, very similar.'
Mitchell denies murdering Jodi by striking her with a knife or similar instrument. He has lodged defences of alibi and incrimination.
Mitchell, 16, also denies carrying a knife or knives and supplying cannabis. The trial continues.
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| Publication: | Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland) |
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| Date: | Dec 3, 2004 |
| Words: | 282 |
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