A WOMAN believed her mother had "run off" on the night she is alleged to have murdered her, a court heard.

A WOMAN believed her mother had "run off" on the night she is alleged to have murdered her, a court heard.

Lisa Brown told police she had gone to Anne Brown's Ayrshire home last October 18 and discovered a young child alone in the house.

The 21-year-old said she did not report this at the time as she claimed it was not "unusual".

Brown and co-accused John Wilson, 25, are on trial at the High Court in Glasgow charged with murdering Anne, 51, in Laigh Gree, Burnhouse, Ayrshire, later disposing of her body in a burn.

The jury heard how former nurse Anne and a young child were reported missing last October 24. As part of their investigation, police attended at a flat in the city's Wyndford where they found the two accused and the child.

PC Joseph Gallacher asked Brown how the child came to be with her: "She said herself and John Wilson had attended her mum's address the previous Saturday about nine in the evening. She had found the home unlocked and on entering found the child alone in his cot. All three returned to the Wyndford address."

Prosecutor Gary Allan QC asked: "Did you ask why she had not informed anyone of this peculiar information?"

The constable replied: "I asked why she had not contacted the police. She said she believed her mum had simply run off as she had done before."

The trial heard yesterday how human remains were found weighed down in a burn near Craignaught Farm, Ayrshire.

Brown and Wilson deny murder. They also deny attempting to defeat the ends of justice by disposing of Anne's body in Clerkland Burn, Ayrshire.

The trial, before Judge Lord Matthews, continues.