The former husband of Brenda Page told police he had “no involvement whatsoever” in her death when he was arrested on suspicion of her murder, a court has heard.
Dr Christopher Harrisson’s police interview was played for jurors today at the High Court in Aberdeen, where he repeatedly denied killing his ex-wife in her flat on Allan Street in the early hours of July 14 1978.
Harrisson – who was quizzed by police for more than three hours following his arrest on May 17 2020 – told the officers he loved Brenda “very, very much” and was “saddened” at her death.
He said: “I had no involvement whatsoever in the death of Brenda Page. I would like to say that I loved her very much.
“We were divorced in October 1977. There were no prior assaults on Dr Brenda Page, by myself or anyone as far as I know.
“I was deeply saddened by her murder and I’m still very, very sad that she died.
“I had nothing whatever to do with it.”
Dr Page’s body was discovered in her Aberdeen flat on the morning of July 14 1978. She had been repeatedly and violently struck on the head, face and body with a blunt implement.
Harrisson, 82, has denied murdering her.
The Cambridge-educated former biochemist also told police that he never had sex with Brenda in her Allan Street flat.
During the police interview he stated he had been in her flat twice – once to feed her cats and once when she gave him a haircut.
The jury previously heard evidence that Harrisson’s sperm was discovered on a duvet and fitted bedsheet inside the flat.
No DNA belonging to anyone other than Brenda or Harrisson was found at 13 Allan Street.
Asked by Detective Sergeant Vanessa Rennie if he was jealous of his ex-wife’s success as a genetic scientist, Harrisson described her as “brilliant”.
He added: “I personally believe that women have had a hard time. I would be delighted if someone like my wife had a brilliant career.”
DS Rennie also quizzed him on claims made by Brenda’s colleagues that Harrisson believed she’d stolen his research prior to her death.
“That’s ridiculous,” he replied.
During cross-examination by defence advocate Brian McConnachie KC, DS Rennie was accused of “misleading” Harrisson during the interview by asking him about semen stains on a duvet – before later stating that his DNA was also found on the bedsheet.
“He wasn’t misled. I clarified it. I don’t believe I did mislead him,” DS Rennie said.
“But he answered you. And then effectively you changed the question. After he’s answered the question, yes?”
“Yes,” she replied.
It was also agreed by the Crown Office and Harrisson’s defence team that Brenda Page had met two of her escort clients for sex at her home and a hotel in Aberdeen.
She began sexual relationships with the two men after meeting them through the agency, Capital Escorts, which she began working for in November 1976.
Asked by DS Rennie how he felt upon learning that his ex-wife had started working for the escort agency, Harrisson replied: “It didn’t make me jealous. It just made me sad.”
Advocate depute Alex Prentice closed the Crown case today and announced to the court he was now only prosecuting Harrisson for the murder of his wife while dropping the remaining charges against him.
Lord Richardson acquitted the pensioner of assaulting Brenda, making threats to kill her and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
The trial continues.
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