- Packer admits consensual sex
- Denies murder, acquitted charges
- Visited sex workers frequently
The man charged with Emma Caldwell’s murder has admitted to having “consensual” sexual relations with her months before she died.
After the 27-year-old sex worker indicated she wanted him to stop during their encounter in August 2004 in Glasgow, Iain Packer said he did not stop immediately.
In April 2005, the 51-year-old denies strangling Ms. Caldwell and leaving her body in woods in South Lanarkshire.
He faces a total of thirty-six charges involving multiple women.
The prosecution has dropped ten charges against Mr. Packer. He was formally acquitted of these charges after the Crown closed its case.
Trial Details and Packer’s Testimony
Ms. Caldwell’s body was found in a culvert near Limefield Woods in Biggar five weeks after she was killed.
The murder charge alleges Mr. Packer attacked Ms. Caldwell by restraining her, grabbing her wrists, and strangling her with his hands and a cable.
Mr. Packer, using a walking stick, appeared at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday, the 18th day of the trial, dressed in a zip-up jacket, T-shirt, and navy trousers.
He was sworn in just after 10:00 GMT and began being questioned by his defence lawyer, Ronnie Renucci KC.
Mr. Renucci asked about the 2004 incident where Mr. Packer said he had “consensual” sex with Ms. Caldwell behind billboards in London Road, Glasgow.
Asked about not stopping immediately, Mr. Packer said he felt “a bit ashamed” and should have “stopped right away.”
Previously, jurors heard Mr. Packer tell police he continued sexual activity with Ms. Caldwell despite her asking him to stop, and that he “lied” about not knowing her.
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In the early 1990s, Mr. Packer was accused of raping the complainant at 14 when he was 16.
He told the court he was initially unaware of the allegation.
Asked by Mr. Renucci if he ever raped or inappropriately touched her, Mr. Packer said, “Never.”
He also told the court he started using sex workers at 18, denying an addiction.
Jurors heard he used his work van to pick up sex workers at Glasgow Green and “the drag,” and paid for sexual services in various Glasgow saunas.
