Phone evidence at Kevin 'Gerbil' Carroll murder trial

Kevin Carroll was killed in an Asda car park in Robroyston

The Kevin 'Gerbil' Carroll murder trial has heard that the accused's mobile phone was in Cumbernauld when the gangland figured was killed in Glasgow.

Communications expert Dominic Kirsten, 45, said the phone made no calls at the time when Mr Carroll was shot dead but could have been left there.

He was giving evidence at the High Court in Glasgow.

Ross Monaghan, 30, denies killing Mr Carroll at the Asda car park in Robroyston in January 2010.

The jury of 10 men and five women heard that Mr Kirsten was asked by Strathclyde Police to examine calls made to and from five mobile phones.

'Covert phones'

One phone belonged to Mr Monaghan, one to William Paterson, who is believed to have fled to Spain, one to another unnamed person and the others were believed by police to be covert phones used by Mr Monaghan and Mr Paterson.

Mr Kirsten said that he examined the calls made by all of these phones in January 2010 and, in particular, on the day of the shooting.

He told the court that between 12:20 and 14:23 Mr Monghan's registered phone was showing a signal for the Cumbernauld area.

Advocate depute Iain McSporran, prosecuting, asked: "Was this mobile phone centred in the Cumbernauld area, and made no calls between 11.52am and 14.23pm?"

Mr Kirsten replied: "Yes, but if there is no activity on the mobile it may have been left."

Referring to the mobile phone number police believe belonged to Mr Paterson, Mr McSporran said: "This mobile is seen travelling from Glasgow to the Robroyston area. Is this consistent with it being near to or in the vicinity of the car park at Asda Robroyston?"

Mr Kirsten told the court that a call was logged in or in the vicinity of the car park.

He added: "The call was not answered."

Loaded handguns

Mr McSporran said: "That was almost at the time the murder was committed," and Mr Kirsten responded: "Shortly before."

It is alleged that while masked and acting with others, Mr Monaghan murdered Mr Carroll by repeatedly discharging loaded handguns at him, shooting him on the head and body.

He is further accused of, while acting with others, attempting to defeat the ends of justice by disposing of a revolver, pistol and ammunition within undergrowth in Coatbridge and Airdrie, both Lanarkshire.

It is also claimed a car - bearing false number plates YF 55 EZZ - was set on fire.

Mr Monaghan also faces a number of firearms charges.

He denies all the charges against him and has lodged a special defence of incrimination against eight men.

The trial before judge Lord Brailsford continues.