Sharkey fire deaths: Accused 'shown on Crimewatch film'

A jury has heard that a figure shown on CCTV footage on the BBC's Crimewatch programme resembled a man accused of murdering three people in a house fire.

George Murray, 58, told the High Court in Glasgow that when he saw the footage he realised the person had a similar walk to Robert Jennings.

He said he knew of Mr Jennings from seeing him about Helensburgh.

Mr Jennings and Scott Snowden deny murdering Thomas Sharkey Snr and his two children by torching their home.

Thomas Sharkey Jnr, 21, and his sister, Bridget, eight, died in the blaze at their home in Scott Court, Helensburgh, on 24 July 2011. Their father, Thomas Snr, 55, died in hospital days later.

Both accused also face a charge of attempting to murder Mr Sharkey's wife, Angela, 48, who survived the fire.

Caretaker Mr Murray said he had known Thomas Sharkey Snr all his life and knew Mr Jennings to see.

The witness said that he viewed the Crimewatch programme and recorded it for his wife.

The footage which was shown on Crimewatch was taken between 5.07.54 to 5.08.03 on 24 July 2011 - around the time of the fire.

It showed a figure at West Princes Street at its junction with John Street, Helensburgh.

Mr Murray was asked by prosecutor Alex Prentice QC: "When you watched it the first time did something occur to you," and he replied: "The person walking looked like a person I know - Robert Jennings."

He was asked what gave him that impression and replied: "The way he walked."

Mr Murray then added: "He walked with a swagger."

The court heard that after their initial viewing Mr Murray watched the CCTV footage twice more.

Mr Murray was asked when he had observed Mr Jennings walking about.

He told the court that about five years ago he had been painting his son's house in Kirkmichael, Helensburgh, and had often see Mr Jennings, who had a friend who stayed nearby.

Under cross-examination by Ian Duguid QC, representing Mr Jennings, Mr Murray was shown four more pieces of CCTV footage.

Each one featured Mr Jennings in different locations including supermarkets and a police station.

Mr Murray was only able to identify him in two of the locations and said he did not see the distinctive walking style he had described earlier, on the footage shown on Crimewatch.

When pressed about the video footage shown on Crimewatch Mr Murray said he was 60% sure it was Mr Jennings.

The court also heard from a surveyor who said that about 36 hours after he argued with Mr Snowden his house went on fire.

Scott Chalmers, 49, said the row developed after Mr Snowden, who worked as a berth master, took him and his family out to their boat mooring at Rhu Marina, near Helensburgh.

The court heard that they set out on a launch about 18:00 on 4 September 2009.

Mr Chalmers said: "He bashed my boat twice with the launch and was telling me to shut up. I lost my temper.

"I got very excited about the situation and told him what I thought. He then refused to take us to our boat."

The court heard that they returned to the marina where manager Simon Fraser apologised and took them back out to their boat.

Mr Chalmers said that Mr Snowden, who he identified in court, did not apologise for ramming into his boat.

He said that he and his family set off and sailed to the Kyles of Bute.

Mr Chalmers described the row as "a storm in a teacup".

He said he was wakened about 07:30 on 6 September 2009 by a phone call from police saying that the family home in Rhu was on fire.

Mr Chalmers said: "I thought at first it was a wind-up."

His wife, Nicola, 45, said of the row: "Mr Snowden was upset and said he wasn't here to take any lip. He pointed a finger into my husband's face.

"We were a bit surprised by the reaction. He crashed the launch into our boat twice and we were getting it."

She was asked if Mr Snowden apologised and replied: "No, there was no apology."

The jury heard that the Chalmers' house was extensively smoke damaged and they had to spend six months in rented accommodation while their home was repaired.

Mr Snowden, 37, and Mr Jennings, 50, have lodged special defences of incrimination and alibi, with Mr Snowden claiming he was in Mexico when the fire at the Sharkey home was allegedly started, while Mr Jennings claims he was home alone in Helensburgh.

They also deny setting fire to Mr Chalmers' home.

The trial before judge Lord Matthews continues.