Inverness brother in court on murder charge

A MAN accused of murdering his brother made another court appearance at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday morning (Wednesday).

Twenty-nine year-old Andrew Fraser died in hospital two days after an incident at his Rosehaugh Road home in the South Kessock area of the city.

His brother, Gary Fraser (31), is alleged to have stabbed him after forcing his way into the house on March 21 this year.

At the High Court in Edinburgh on Wednesday, judge Lord Uist ordered a further court hearing for September 7 at Glasgow High Court.

Fraser made no plea or declaration.

Gary Fraser, who appeared from custody, also faces a charge of brandishing a sword at a woman in Tannery Court on March 18 and being concerned in the supply of heroin.

He is also accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by washing clothes said to have been worn at the time of the alleged murder and assaulting police.

A further charge alleges that he smeared excrement over the walls and door of a cell in a police station at Burnett Road, Inverness.

Following his death, Andrew Fraser was described by his family as being "popular and lovable".

In a statement, the family said: "We are devastated by the loss of our popular and lovable son, brother and uncle.

"He will be sadly missed by his family and all those who knew him."