An 82-year-old man has been found guilty of murdering his ex-wife 45 years ago, bringing to an end one of Scotland's longest-running crime investigations.
Christopher Harrisson, of Aberdeen, was found guilty of murdering Dr Brenda Page, 32, at her home on July 14 1978. Jurors heard how Harrisson had subjected her to a prolonged campaign of domestic abuse, including coercive and controlling behaviours.
This culminated in her violent death at the hands of her manipulative husband, who struck her on the head at least 20 times with a blunt weapon. 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.
COPFS's David Green, who leads on murder investigations, said: "Christopher Harrisson took the life of their loved one and subjected them to further torment by maintaining his pretence of innocence for many years. Evidence collected at the time painted a picture of a bullying and manipulative man but it has taken breakthroughs in science and forensics to allow us to prove the case beyond any doubt."
A jury at the High Court in Aberdeen heard evidence that Dr Page was terrified of her former husband and had told associates she feared he would one day kill her. Hand-written letters detailed some of the abuse to which she was subjected by Harrisson.
In one, Dr Page asked her lawyer to ensure she receive a thorough post-mortem should she ever die suddenly. And in a letter from Harrisson to Dr Page, he acknowledged his “rages of which you are afraid”. She fled to the flat
The renewed investigation by Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team (MIT) saw detectives pore over every piece of evidence gathered during the initial probe and the subsequent follow-ups over the years. They reviewed previous witness statements and, where possibly, re-interviewed people who had spoken to police about the case.
Thousands of documents were re-examined in preparing the prosecution. By the time Harrisson stood trial, many witnesses were in their 70s and 80s, and several gave evidence by live television link from other locations in the UK in order to avoid travel to the High Court in Aberdeen.
Mr Green added: “A man once recognised as a skilled scientist himself has been brought to justice through scientific expertise. Harrisson is an old man now but he is finally facing the consequences of his cruelty and violence.”
In a statement released via Police Scotland, Brenda's family paid tribute to the scientist, who was principal of genetics at the University of Aberdeen's medical school. However, they lamented the time taken to bring Harrison to justice, noting that some of her relatives were no longer around to see him convicted.
The statement read: "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."
Detective Inspector Gary Winter of the Major Investigation Team said it was "fitting" that Harrisson was snared by advancements in DNA evidence, adding: “Brenda was never forgotten and hope remained that one day her murderer would face the consequences of his actions. For Brenda’s family, colleagues, friends and everyone who has worked on this case over many years, that day is finally here.
"Various improvements in available evidence since 1978 allowed the investigation to progress to trial. Part of this is down to a better understanding of domestic abuse and abusive relationships which has helped us highlight what Brenda went through over many years.
"The investigation of homicides is an area where the national police service has driven high standards of investigation and compassion. The ability to respond professionally and thoroughly, and provide answers for families, is a core duty of policing."
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