Four suspects to stand trial over murder of Robert Best found dead in Kilmacolm field

Four suspects are to stand trial charged with murdering a man who was found dead in a field.

Brian O’Neill, 39, Andrew Brodie, 51, Stephen Shields, 44, and Gary McGowan, 36, are accused of teaming up with others to kill Robert Best at a flat in Greenock, Inverclyde on November 10, 2025.

It is alleged the 50-year-old was grabbed, dragged about inside the property before being repeatedly stabbed with a knife or knives.

The indictment further claims Mr Best was struck with an unknown object, inflicting blunt force trauma to his head and body.

The four then face a separate charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

This includes claims they tried to clean the flat in Lansbury Street, Greenock and dispose of items.

It is alleged a deceased Mr Best was then wrapped in a rug and put in the boot of a car.

The vehicle is said to have been driven to a lay-by in Devol Road in Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire, the corpse removed and an attempt made to set the body and the man’s clothes on fire.

This was all allegedly done in a bid to avoid detection, arrest and prosecution.

Two women – Dorothy Shields, 65, and Nicola Campbell-Brisland, 42, face the same latter charge amid claims they also helped in the clean-up at the flat.

McGowan alone is separately accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice by going into “hiding” at locations unknown after the alleged murder.

McGowan and Shields are further charged with assaulting another man at the same flat and date.

The case called for a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday.

Defence lawyers pled not guilty on behalf of all six.

Along with prosecutor Graeme Jessop KC, they agreed a trial could be fixed.

Judge Lord Arthurson set a date and it is scheduled to begin on June 21 next year.

The case could last around 15 days.

It was reported at the time Mr Best’s body was discovered close to High Mathernock Farm near Kilmacolm on November 11, 2025 hours after he had been reported missing from Greenock.