A suspect has been accused of choking a man to death before dumping his body in a car in a layby.
George McMillan is charged with killing Michael Thomson, 46, at business premises in York Street, Ayr, on July 24 or 25 last year.
Prosecutors allege the 54-year-old put cable ties around Mr Thomson’s neck.
The murder charge states he tightened the ligature and did “asphyxiate” Mr Thomson.
McMillan faces a separate accusation of then attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
It is claimed he hid the body of Mr Thomson in a car and drove to a layby off the A77 between Holmston and Whitletts roundabouts in Ayrshire, leaving both there.
The indictment alleges McMillan changed his own clothes and also got rid of Mr Thomson’s phone as well as keys for the vehicle.
There is further said to have been an attempt to delete CCTV from the business premises where the alleged murder occurred.
Not guilty pleas were entered for McMillan during a short hearing at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday.
Lady Stacey adjourned until a further hearing on June 21 in Livingston, West Lothian.
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