Nat Fraser trial: Accused 'making usual deliveries' when wife Arlene vanished

Accused Nat Fraser denies murdering his wife Arlene in 1998

A man accused of murdering his wife was making his usual fruit and vegetable delivery rounds on the day she vanished, a trial has heard.

Nat Fraser, 53, denies murdering his wife Arlene.

Mrs Fraser was 33 when she disappeared from her home in New Elgin, Moray, on 28 April 1998.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard testimony that Mr Fraser was at the wheel of a distinctive lorry on the day in question.

It was decorated with cartoon characters called Natalie Nectarine and Jamie Jaffa - named after his son and daughter.

The trial also heard that wholesaler Mr Fraser paused on his rounds for tea and a scone at an Elgin cafe, and made a phone call.

The events were recalled by Grant Fraser, 32, who said he was not related to the accused and described himself as Mr Fraser's "lorry boy".

Grant Fraser told defence QC John Scott that he had been questioned about the events and had always been telling the truth, even when police put him under pressure.

'Finger pointed'

Mr Fraser said on the day in question his employer had seemed reasonably normal, but his mood had changed afterwards.

"Nat told me Arlene had been reported missing," he said. "You could tell he was anxious and worried.

"As he said himself, he knew the finger would be pointed straight at him."

Jurors were also told that the operation which followed Mrs Fraser's disappearance left "no stone unturned" and ranked alongside the biggest inquiries carried out by Grampian Police.

Supt Mark Cooper said the search was "massive" but no trace of Mrs Fraser was ever found.

Nat Fraser denies he strangled his wife or murdered her "by other means to the prosecutor unknown".

He claims if his estranged wife was killed, another man - Hector Dick - could be to blame.

The trial continues on Wednesday.