Man In Court Charged With Murdering Waiter In 1998

A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Indian waiter Surjit Singh Chokar. Ronnie Coulter is accused of killing the 32 year-old in Overtown, North Lanarkshire on November 4 1998. But, it emerged today/yesterday it remains unknown as yet if Coulter will stand trial. His QC Donald Findlay told the High Court in Glasgow further time was needed "as to when - or indeed if - Mr Coulter will be fit to stand trial or whether we will proceed by an examination of facts hearing." Judge Lord Bannatyne continued the case until May. Coulter's attendance at that hearing was excused. Prosecutors allege the 46 year-old was acting with two other men at the time - Andrew Coulter and David Montgomery - at the time of the alleged attack. The murder charge includes claims Mr Chokar was punched and prevented from defending himself. He is then said to have been hit with a wooden baton before Coulter repeatedly struck him with a knife and killed him. It is further alleged Coulter, also of Wishaw, did previously "envince malice and ill-will" towards Mr Chokar. Coulter is then accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice - which include claims he got another person to hide clothes worn during the alleged murder and a case of knives. Coulter is further accused of later attempting to pervert the course of justice with "intent to avoid "detection, arrest, prosecution and conviction". He also face earlier claims that on the day of the alleged murder, he forged the signature of Mr Chokar to help cash a £100 giro cheque. He is then accused of joining Andrew Coulter to break into Mr Chokar's home in Wishaw and steal a cooker.