Fiona Sumner, the 14-year-old girl the defendant allegedly abducted tells the court that McDowell wanted break the record for the journey from Fulchester to John O' Groats. She wanted to go with him but later changed her mind.

Philip McDowell's son Robert tells the court the drive to Scotland was Fiona Sumner's idea. She wanted to visit her father who she thought was dead and his father agreed to take her. Daughter Alison adds that she turned down the trip.