A FRIEND of Delia McInerney told a court he believed she was living in Australia and that she was alive because the man accused of her murder had repeatedly reassured people she was "doing OK".
The trial of George Gordon, 65, accused of the murder of Delia McInerney, resumed at Liverpool Crown Court today, Tuesday, November 10.
Gordon, 65, allegedly killed his friend Delia McInerney in April 2023, days before she was due to move to Portugal for a “new life”, the jury of five men and seven women was told as the prosecution opened its case last week.
The court heard Ms McInerney, who was 62 at the time of her death, stayed with Gordon at his flat at Gerards Court, in Carr Mill, when she was not travelling abroad or at her house in Anfield, Liverpool, as she had concerns about 5G masts.
Martin Reid KC, prosecuting, told the jury last week Ms McInerney’s body was found by police in a chest freezer at Gordon’s flat on January 8 this year.
It was alleged Gordon had kept her dismembered body in a freezer with her pet guinea pigs for almost three years while he took out credit cards and loans in her name.
The prosecution said in its opening that Gordon admits killing Ms McInerney, but initially told police he had hit her with a hammer to “end her suffering” after she had taken an overdose.
He now claims he acted in self-defence, Mr Reid said.
On Tuesday afternoon, Liverpool Crown Court heard evidence from Adam Hetherington, who had known Ms McInerney for around 12 years after meeting her at a political meeting.
As he was questioned by prosecting barrister, Martin Reid KC, Mr Hetherington said he kept in touch with Ms McInerney through emails, text messages and occasional face-to-face meetings over the years, and he had last seen her in 2022.
He said she had spoken about plans to visit a pen pal in Australia.
Giving evidence, Mr Hetherington told jurors he continued to receive messages he believed were from Ms McInerney.
The court heard that Gordon, known as 'Chris', became the main source of information about Ms McInerney's whereabouts after her disappearance.
Mr Hetherington said: "He used to say ‘Delia’s doing OK'.
"Chris would relay to people how Delia was doing.
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"He'd say she's asked about you (and) she's going to come over on this date," Mr Hetherington said.
The witness said he continued to believe Ms McInerney was alive living abroad, and in contact with him.
"I was texting Delia on WhatsApp and Delia was still emailing, I thought."
He added: "We all thought Delia was in Australia."
Mr Hetherington told the court he had lent Gordon £1,000 in late 2024 after being told that Nationwide had frozen some charity accounts.
The money was never fully repaid, he told the jury.
Hr Hetherington said he received £500 back on January 8 this year, which was the same day police arrested Gordon.
Mr Hetherington said Gordon called and said to him: "Delia's missing and they're coming to question me."
Jurors also heard that when Mr Hetherington visited Gordon's flat during July 2025 to try to recover the money he was owed, he noticed a fridge-freezer in "a communal hallway" outside the property.
Mr Hetherington said: "He wouldn't answer the door, I knocked on the neighbour's door. He came out and he said Chris should be here (and) knocked. Chris answered to Ray and not me."
In cross-examination, Gordon, Gordon Cole KC asked Mr Hetehrington, "The freezer you saw (at Gerards Court). Was that in a communal hallway?”
Mr Hetherington answered "Yes", adding "you go down a couple of steps, the fridge was next to Chris’ doorway on the left. It was in the communal hallway."
Gordon, 65, of Gerards Court, Carr Mill, denies murdering Ms McInerney and causing unnecessary suffering to animals, in relation to the five guinea pigs.
The trial, before Mr Justice Goose, which is estimated to last around six weeks, continues.
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