Kiesha Donaghy trial hears man accused of Elgin mum’s murder said she ‘would be fine’ after being told she was dead

A man accused of murdering Kiesha Donaghy in her home claimed that she “would be fine" after being told she was dead.

Witness Carly Clark - who murder accused Owen Grant stayed with after Kiesha’s death - was giving evidence at his trial at the High Court in Edinburgh today (Thursday, May 22).

Grant has pleaded not guilty to murdering Kiesha at her home at 79 Anderson Drive in Elgin on November 15, 2023.

The court heard that Grant turned up at Ms Clark’s property in Elgin, appearing drunk and "wobbling about", trying to get her to source cocaine.

Ms Clark stated that the 43-year-old said he had been going to see Kiesha, but the road was closed and police were around.

She said she thought Grant gave her £200 for cocaine, which she went to get - but she then received a call telling her Kiesha had died.

Ms Clark returned and told Grant the news and said he was "quite upset".

She said: "He told me it was wrong. That wasn't what happened.

“He was adamant that wasn't what happened and she would be fine."

She agreed that Grant turned up at her house because the area around Kiesha's home was closed off by police.

Defence solicitor advocate James Keegan KC said: "He thought Kiesha was getting busted." Ms Clark replied: "That's what he said."

The defence lawyer asked if he was “adamant it was a drugs bust going on rather than anything else?”. Ms Clark responded: "Adamant, yes."

Advocate depute Christopher Wilson KC asked her if Grant had used drugs when he stayed at her home and she said: "Yes".

The 40-year-old said she had known Kiesha Donaghy for a year or more and met Grant at Kiesha’s home.

She added: "After Kiesha died he arrived at my house and stayed for the weekend."

Grant is alleged to have assaulted and murdered Kiesha by repeatedly striking her on the head and body with an unknown object.

The mum-of-two died after sustaining blunt force head injuries.

Jurors were shown police bodycam footage of Grant being arrested by officers on November 30 in 2023 at his workplace, before he was placed in a police van and taken into custody.

The trial before judge Lord Scott continues.