A purse belonging to Vicky Hamilton – whose body was found in a Margate garden last year – was found days after the 15-year-old was allegedly abducted, a court heard.

Chef Hamish Watson found the black purse in St Andrew Square, Edinburgh on February 21 1991.

Peter Tobin, 62, has gone on trial at the High Court in Dundee accused of abducting Vicky on February 10 1991, sexually assaulting her and murdering her.

He is also accused of hiding Vicky's purse under a portable cabin with the

intention of misleading police into believing she had run away from home.

As well as this Tobin is accused of attempting to evade justice between February 10 1991 and December 15 1991 at Bathgate, Edinburgh, Margate and elsewhere. He is charged with concealing Vicky’s body, cutting it in two, and transporting and burying the parts.

Tobin denies any involvement in the 15-year-old's death and claims he was in the Portsmouth area when she disappeared.

Chef Mr Watson, 43, told the court how he was on his way to work when he spotted the purse.

He described it as being on the right hand side of the wheels of a portable cabin which was set up there.

He said: ``The ground was damp as it had been raining, but the purse was dry, which I found unusual.

``It didn't look as if it had been there very long.''

The court heard the purse contained a number of items bearing the schoolgirl's name, including a National Insurance card with her name on it.

Mr Watson handed it in to Lothian and Borders Police and it was later sent to the Lost Property Department at the force's headquarters.

The jury was told that senior clerical officer Lillian Williamson wrote to Vicky's address in Redding, near Falkirk, to say it had been found.

Ms Williamson gave a statement to police officer John McDonald, who is now retired.

Mr McDonald, 62, read her statement to the court in which she said she had received a batch of found property on

February 22 1991.

It said: ``Amongst it was a purse and the contents showed it was the property of Vicky Hamilton from 42 Ward Avenue, Redding.''

``In accordance with normal procedure I sent a letter to that address asking for the loser to come and collect the property.

``I was unaware at the time of the significance of the purse.''

The trial continues.