Man accused of murdering 'much-loved son' in street near school

Trial: Christie is accused of stabbing Mr Kelly to death.© Perthshire Picture Agency

A man will stand trial accused of stabbing a "much-loved son" to death near a secondary school.

Stephen Christie denies murdering Alexander Kelly in a Perth street earlier this year.

Christie appeared for a preliminary hearing at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday.

The 36-year-old is charged with killing Mr Kelly, who was known as Sandy, in Bute Drive, Perth, on August 23.

It is alleged Christie stabbed Mr Kelly on the body with a knife or similar instrument near to Perth Grammar School.

Mr Kelly, 26, was described as a "much-loved son, brother, husband, uncle and friend" by his family after he died in Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, having been found seriously injured in the Perth street.

Christie is also charged with the attempted murder of Murray Christie in Lewis Place, Perth, on June 5, where he is accused of striking him repeatedly on the head and body with a knife.

The murder accused is also charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin between April 1998 and December 2010.

Judge Lord Bonomy set Christie’s trial date to begin on January 30 at the High Court in Edinburgh. The case is expected to last up to 10 days.