Brutal killer Christopher Harrisson claimed in a police interview that officers investigating Brenda Page's murder planted evidence.
The 82-year-old has been found guilty of murdering his ex-wife 45 years ago, in July 1978, bringing to an end one of Scotland's longest-running crime investigations.
Jurors heard how Harrisson had subjected her to a prolonged campaign of domestic abuse, including coercive and controlling behaviours during their time together as a couple in Aberdeen.
He battered the geneticist and secret escort, then 32, to death in her flat in a horrific bloodbath attack.
Now, a three minute police interview has been released by the Crown Office, which shows Harrisson claiming officers investigating the murder planted evidence in his car.
During the interview, officers questioned him on the fact that a number of paint flecks from Page's home were found to be "similar in composition and colour" to samples found in his green Mini.
In the video, an officer says: "So a number of paint flecks were recovered from under the point of entry within the address."
Harrisson replies, implying some foul play by investigating officers: "The police took my car. And whether the police have scratched my car and left paint residue in Allen Street, I really wouldn't know.
"After this interview, I wouldn't put anything past them. I really wouldn't."
The officer then asks: "So, that's your reason for that then?" Harrisson answers: "It's so ridiculous. That has to be completely nonsensical. Where would the paint flakes come from?"
A second officer asks: "Your car? Well, you've said yourself - you've described your car as a dustbin, it's falling to bits."
Harrisson then responds: "Yes, but where would the paint have come from in my car?"
The first officer clarifies: "It's been taken from your car. It's been taken from the address where she was found brutally murdered under the point of entry.
"The window you've been climbing in and out of, probably for about two years." Harrisson then says: "That's absolute nonsense". He is then asked: "Did you have sex at 13 Allan Street?" He replies: "No I didn't. Absolutely certain."
At the High Court in Aberdeen Lord Richardson sentenced Harrisson to life imprisonment with a minimum of 20 years before he would be eligible for parole, meaning he is likely to die behind bars.
"Handing down the sentence, the judge said: "As a result of your senseless act of violence, you brought the life of Dr Brenda Page to a brutal and premature end. You created a void in the lives of her mother, her sister, her nephews and her friends which could never be filled.
"Her potential as a brilliant scientist was left forever unrealised. It is clear to me that, even now, almost 45 years later, the effect of your actions on 14 July 1978 continue to be felt."
The judge added that Harrisson continued to deny responsibility for the killing. He said: "You show no remorse."
Harrisson's brutality – carried out after he prised open the rear window of Brenda's flat and lay in wait for her to come home – took more than four decades to come to light. He had been interviewed by police at the time of the killing and denied any involvement.
He was eventually snared in March 2020, five years after the Lord Advocate, Scotland's top judge, ordered police to launch a fresh investigation into Brenda's killing. Prosecutors from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) were able to disprove his lies using DNA examination and forensic techniques.
In a statement released via Police Scotland, Brenda's family paid tribute to the scientist, saying: "We as a family are absolutely delighted with the verdict of today's trial. Brenda's murder, nearly 45 years ago at the incredibly young age of 32, has affected the family and so many of her friends, work colleagues and of course Police Scotland. Not a day goes by when we don’t think about Brenda and the horrendous ordeal she must have suffered that night.
"Brenda was an extremely kind, intelligent woman with her whole life ahead of her. It hurts us to think of the great things she would have undoubtedly achieved.
"Forty-five years is a long time to be at liberty whilst the family have endured such tragedy, sadness and loss. It is a great sadness that some of our family and friends are no longer with us to see this day but we are delighted that Brenda's sister has finally seen Christopher Harrisson found guilty of the brutal crime she always knew he committed."
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