Iain Packer, the accused in a murder trial at the High Court in Glasgow, allegedly attempted to strangle a woman and threatened a child who accused him of sexual abuse, according to court testimony.
Packer, aged 50, faces multiple charges, including the murder of Emma Caldwell in 2005 and various sex crimes, abduction, and assault. He denies all charges and has asserted special defences, including incrimination, consent, defense of another, and self-defence.
During the trial, a 48-year-old woman testified anonymously, claiming that Packer sexually abused her between July 1990 and October 1992, starting when she was 14. She accused Packer of attempting rape during their first meeting and repeatedly molesting her afterward. The witness stated feeling vulnerable due to Packer's size compared to her own petite stature. Despite reporting the abuse to her mother, she alleged facing threats and intimidation from Packer and his family.
Another witness, also anonymous, testified that Packer subjected her to physical and sexual violence between 1991 and 1996. She claimed Packer would rape her weekly and described an incident where he attempted to strangle her with a vacuum cleaner cord. This witness also accused Packer of running up debts through spending on prostitutes, gambling, and drugs.
Both witnesses provided statements to the police in 2006 and 2015. Packer's lawyer challenged the credibility of their claims during cross-examination.
Packer is specifically charged with strangling Emma Caldwell and attempting to defeat the ends of justice by disposing of her body and belongings. The trial continues before Judge Lord Beckett.