Millane's friend worried for her safety during date with accused

Grace Millane's friend had feared for her safety during the date with the male friend Millane made on the dating application, Tinder. On November 6, the 21-year-old whose body was found crammed in a suitcase, its murder trial at Auckland High Court took place with the parents as well as the jury watching the CCTV footage of the victim meeting her alleged killer. The British Backpacker had met the boy on Tinder and met with him in Europe on her 22nd birthday, however, it was the last time she was spotted alive before her body being discovered buried in the scrubland outside the New Zealand City. 

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'Something out of place'

The British Backpacker's friend from Lincoln University, Ameena Ashcroft reportedly said in her statement that Millane was messaging her throughout her date and got especially worried about her safety when the 21-year-old described her date as 'an oil manager' who lived in a hotel. Ashcroft further said that even though she was a 'bit concerned' she did not let Millane know about her thoughts. Ashcroft said she found 'something out of place', however, she did not react because of being tired of all the travelling. Both the friends had continuously exchanged messages during the date as both the victim along with the accuser moved to various spots across the city which also gave Ashcroft the feeling that her friend was having a 'good time' while Millane was not concerned about her safety. However, it was the last time Grace Millane was seen alive after which her body was found from Waitakere Ranges near Auckland a week after she disappeared last December on the eve of her 22nd birthday 

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CCTV footage in court

The jury along with her parents, David and Gillian watched the entire CCTV footage of December 11 starting from just before 6 pm till the last hours with the man who is accused of killing her. The 27-year-old man's name has not been disclosed due to security concerns, has pleaded not guilty. In the CCTV footage, Millane can be seen in black dress and white sneakers while meeting the male friend with a brief kiss on the cheek after which the duo strolled at various places in the city and then went to his hostel. While referring to the entire footage, detective Adam Bicknell told the court that the data examined was of six terabytes which are of a 'significant amount'. However, the defense lawyer, still claims that Millane's death was an 'accident' as the man had restricted Millane's breathing with her consent during sex. 

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(With inputs from agencies)