A 46-year-old handyman has appeared in court to face a charge of murdering Jenny Methven at her rural Perthshire home.

William Kean made a brief appearance in private at Perth Sheriff Court on Friday, accused of murdering the pensioner by repeatedly hitting her with a blunt instrument.

It is alleged he assaulted the 80-year-old woman at Kildinny Farm Cottage at Forteviot and murdered her on February 20.

The Perthshire man, known locally as Billy, made no plea or declaration and the case was continued for further examination by Sheriff Fiona Tait.

Kean, from Gallowbank Road, Blairgowrie, made no motion for bail and was remanded in custody after the two-minute hearing.

Mrs Methven's body was discovered by her son David, 57, at the home they shared together.

The pensioner was a well-known figure in the local area, was president of the Forgandenny branch of the Scottish Women's Rural Institute and a charity fundraiser.