THE TRIAL of the man accused of killing Dundee woman Elizabeth McCabe is expected to take place sometime in October on a date and at a venue yet to be finalised, the High Court in Edinburgh heard yesterday.

The defence team for Vincent John Simpson (60), won a further preliminary hearing to deal with outstanding issues.

However Mr Mark Stewart QC said they anticipated the next hearing on July 30 would resolve many of the outstanding issues.

Those that remain may have to be debated at a further hearing but he was content that the trial date would be sufficiently far ahead to allow this to take place without affecting it.

The court was told at the last preliminary hearing on May 30 that substantial numbers of documents—approaching 4000—had to be processed and the defence asked for further time to audit these documents. Mr Stewart told the court yesterday, “On the last occasion there were a number of outstanding matters which the defence has been actively pursuing.

“Progress has been made in almost all of them and these inquiries are at an advanced stage.”

There had been meetings between defence and Crown to focus on areas for agreement and the defence was left with two outstanding lines of inquiry before their preparations would be complete. He told the court that a mix-up when defence forensic experts could not obtain access to relevant documentation was one of these things that happened and he attached no blame to anyone involved.

For the Crown, advocate depute Alex Prentice, said it was accepted it was a “complicated case and the Crown can understand the concerns of the defence with regards to their inquiries.”

He said he agreed with Mr Stewart progress is being made and it was anticipated it would allow the trial to take place in October.

Lady Dorrian granted the defence motion for a further preliminary hearing on July 30.

Simpson, of Camberley in Surrey, first appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court in July 2005 charged with Miss McCabe’s murder.

Miss McCabe’s body was found in Templeton Woods on the outskirts of Dundee in February 1980.