Chilling images from the home of a killer who murdered a mum and child have been released showing a kitchen burial spot and a makeshift bed.
Andrew Innes, 52, has been jailed for life for the murder of Bennylyn Burke, 25, and Jellica Burke after a five-day trial at the High Court in Edinburgh. Evil Innes killed the pair before burying their bodies under his kitchen floor at the property on Troon Avenue in Dundee.
He was also convicted of sexually abusing the toddler and raping another child at his Dundee home between February 20 and March 5 2021. Pictures released by the Crown Office following the verdict showed the harrowing extent of the evil crimes committed by Innes.
One image of the living room showed a makeshift bed that officers discovered upon arrival after they swooped on the property. On top of the bed, which sat in front of a couch, teddies can be seen placed around pillows.
Three other images of the kitchen show new tiles laid down alongside a pit when where Innes had buried the bodies. The wall surrounding the pit is torn apart with electrical wires hanging out.
The new tiles were partially placed down with varying degrees of excavation and in one image tools including a hammer can be seen placed on the kitchen floor.
During the trial, the jury witnessed some of the most harrowing evidence to come before a Scottish court. Innes admitted killing Ms Burke and Jellica but denied murdering them and lodged a special defence of diminished responsibility.
Judge Lord Beckett instructed the jury to return guilty verdicts on both murder charges, following the medical evidence heard on Innes’ state of mind at the time.
Innes, who at times sobbed in the witness box while giving evidence in his defence, had denied all charges but the jury of eight men and seven women spent just under two and a half hours to find he was responsible for the crimes.
On his arrest, when he asked where Ms Burke was, Innes told Pc Gavin Burns: “She’s under the kitchen floor.”
And, of the two-year-old’s whereabouts, he told Dc Hardie: “Under the floor with mum. I couldn’t look after a child. The child was screaming.”
Following the sentencing, the victims' family said in statement: “Bennylyn was the hope and light of our family. That light has been cruelly snuffed out.
“Bennylyn had bright ideas and big dreams. She bravely left home to seek a better future in a country far away. Instead, she found the worst cruelty we could ever imagine at the hands of someone she trusted. We shall be forever haunted by what happened to her in this far off place such a long way from us, her family.
“In the Philippines, poor families like ours very often have daughters and sisters who seek to fulfil their dreams for a better future abroad. Never do we imagine it will end in such terror and horror.
“We cannot drive from our minds what happened to her and what happened to Jellica, or the fear they must have felt after experiencing violence from Andrew Innes. A big part of our family has been torn from us. We shall never see Bennylyn and Jellica again. We shall never know our beloved Jellica or ever see her grow up.
“We pray for the child who suffered the cruelty of Andrew Innes. We are happy that she is being cared for and recovering from her trauma. Women and girls must be protected from predators like Andrew Innes.
“There is nothing that can restore Bennylyn and Jellica to us. But the jury’s guilty verdict for murder provides some comfort to our family and friends and brings justice for Bennylyn and Jellica.”
David Green, Scotland's Procurator Fiscal for Homicide and Major Crime, said: “We welcome today’s conviction and the sentence of Andrew Innes for the murders of Bennylyn and Jellica Burke and the rape of a young girl.
“Thanks to the keen instincts of two police officers, Innes’ horrific crimes were discovered. The prosecution was able to put forward a strong case following diligent police work and forensic investigation.
“Careful and thorough case preparation allowed prosecutors to focus proceedings to a narrow range of issues, saving Bennylyn and Jellica’s family some of the further trauma involved in a protracted trial.
“Innes’ crimes are truly appalling and beyond any understanding. Everyone involved in this prosecution has been affected.
“Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family and loved ones of Bennylyn and Jellica as they deal with their pain and grief.”
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