Convicted murdered asks to go to son's wedding

A CONVICTED murderer came to court today to ask judges' permission to go to his son's wedding.

Six years ago, businessman Ian Geddes (55) was jailed for life for faking a fatal accident to get his hands on his cousin's money.

He now claims that new medical evidence will clear his name and is appealing.

In June, Geddes was freed pending the outcome of his appeal against his conviction - but only on the strict understanding that he stays in Scotland.

The Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh heard today that Geddes had been invited to the family wedding at Linden Hall Golf and Country Club at Longhorsley, Northumberland.

Defence advocate Christopher Wilson told Lord Clarke, sitting with Lords Mackay of Drumadoon and Philip, that Geddes needed the court to sanction his travel arrangements.

Geddes plans to travel down to the venue, near Morpeth, the day before the wedding and travel back the day after - spending two nights outside Scotland.

Advocate depute Andrew Miller said the Crown had received confirmation that Geddes would be welcome at the wedding and would not oppose the variation in bail conditions.

The appeal judges granted Geddes' request.

Geddes, from Inverness, has always insisted that oil rig electrician Charlie McKay (48) died at his home in East Mackenzie Park, Inverness, after falling downstairs or from the effects of his years of hard drinking.

In his appeal he hopes to benefit from the so-called "Cadder ruling" by the Supreme Court which outlaws the use of evidence obtained by police interviewing a suspect without a lawyer.

Back March 2005 a jury found him guilty of murder after hearing claims that Mr McKay was drugged then smothered with a pillow in his bed then moved to the bottom of stairs at his Inverness home to make it look like an accident.

Geddes, formerly of the city's Glenurquhart Road, was ordered to serve at least 15 years in jail by judge Lord Bracadale who called the crime "particularly wicked."

The trial heard that Geddes had already milked £32,000 from his cousin's bank accounts and had forged a will leaving him another £25,000.

Preparations were well underway for Mr McKay's funeral when his family discovered Geddes' attempts to change the will on Mr McKay's computer.

Their doubts began a police investigation which uncovered suspicious blood spots on a pillow - and eventually led to the dock at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Geddes also claims his lawyers did not do enough to contest fingerprint evidence at his trial. Geddes' prints were found on the will, the jury heard, but there was also 31 unidentified prints.

At an earlier hearing, defence QC David Burns, told the appeal court: "This is a case in which, standing the terms of the appeal, there is at least a substantial prospect of success."

Before Geddes' release he was refused permission to live in Culloden because the Highland town is still home to Mr McKay's ex-wife and close to other members of his family.

A suggestion that he should move to Stockton on Tees in England to stay with a son while his long-term fate is determined was also vetoed by judges.