A former neighbour of the Emma Caldwell murder suspect claimed she spotted him "thoroughly" cleaning his works van around the time the sex worker was allegedly killed.

Elayne McAllister recalled joking to Iain Packer that he was doing such a "good job" she would get him to do her kitchen next.

The 55-year-old spoke of another conversation with Packer in which he told of his vehicle being taken away for "forensic examination".

Jurors heard claims the 51-year-old appeared "unsettled and nervous" when discussing it.

Packer faces a total of 46 charges involving multiple women and includes the murder of 27 year-old Miss Caldwell at Limefield Woods in Biggar, South Lanarkshire on April 5 2005.

Miss McAllister told how she had previously lived beside Packer in East Kilbride.

She recalled the sign-fitter having a works van - photos of which were shown to the jurors at the High Court in Glasgow.

The witness said the vehicle was "almost always dirty and untidy".

Prosecutor Richard Goddard KC asked her about an occasion she is said to have seen Packer clean the van.

Mr Goddard said: "Describe the job he was doing?"

She replied: "The van was totally empty. The tools were out...he was using soapy water, bleach, cleaning agents, giving it a good scrub."

The advocate depute asked: "Remember speaking to him?"

Miss McAllister said: "Something along the lines of that he was doing a good job and that did he want to do my kitchen when he was finished."

The witness told how she had not been at work between February to August 2005.

Mr Goddard asked: "Do you know if the cleaning took place while you were off work?"

She stated: "Yes."

Mr Goddard went to ask did she know when during that period and what the weather was like.

Miss McAllister said: "It was dry, April/May."

The prosecutor asked: "Of 2005?"

She agreed and Mr Goddard went on: "Iain Packer cleaning his vehicle thoroughly for the first time you had ever seen?"

Miss McAllister said: "Yes."

The woman claimed Packer at some stage told her the van had been "taken away for forensic examination".

She was asked what his "manner" was like and she replied: "Matter of fact. He appeared a bit nervous. He kind of fidgeted."

Mr Goddard referred her to a police statement she gave in 2020 in which she said Packer was "unsettled, nervous, fidgety and hopping from foot to foot."

She agreed she stated that to officers.

In cross examination, Packer's KC Ronnie Renucci put to the witness that she had made no mention to police of any van cleaning being in April/May time.

Miss McAllister said: "It felt like Easter time because of the weather. It was 19 years ago."

The defence advocate suggested the woman had never seen Packer clean his van, but she denied that.

Packer denies the charges and the trial, before judge Lord Beckett, continues.