Man charged with murdering man on Renfrew street

A man has appeared in court charged with murdering a dad on a night out more than four months ago in Renfrew.

Jamie Anderson, 36, appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court charged with battering Paul Mathieson, 37, so severely in January that he suffered a heart attack and died.

Prosecutors claim Anderson, of Paisley, murdered Mr Mathieson by attacking him on Houston Street, near the junction with Wilson Street, in Renfrew on Sunday January 14.

It's claimed he punched Mr Mathieson on the head, causing him to fall to the ground, before raining kicks, punches and stamps on his head, leading to his death.

Mr Mathieson was found on the street suffering from serious injuries and was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, but died a week later after his injuries led to him having a heart attack.

An investigation was launched and, during the four-month probe, suspicion fell on Anderson.

He was arrested and held in police custody until being led in to the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court in handcuffs today to face a single charge.

He made no plea during the short hearing, where he was represented by defence solicitor David Nicholson, a partner in law firm McCusker, McElroy and Gallanagh.

Anderson was remanded in custody by Sheriff Susan Sinclair, who continued the case for prosecutors to investigate further.

No future court dates have been set but Anderson is expected to make his second appearance in court again next week to be fully committed for trial.

A 26-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman were previously arrested in connection with the death but were released pending further enquiries.