Two men to stand trial over East Dunbartonshire shooting
Two men are to stand trial charged with a murder bid near a school in East Dunbartonshire and an acid attack on an investigative journalist.
Two men are to stand trial charged with a murder bid near a school in East Dunbartonshire and an acid attack on an investigative journalist.
William Burns, 55, and Alexander Porter, 47, today faced the accusations at the High Court in Glasgow.
The pair are alleged to have shot Ross Sherlock close to St Helen's primary school in Bishopbriggs last September.
The attempted murder accusation includes a claim a handgun was repeatedly discharged.
They face a separate charge of then attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
Prosecutors state a car used during the alleged crime was torched together with clothes and a firearm being disposed of.
Burns and Porter are also accused of assaulting journalist Russell Findlay to his severe injury, permanent impairment and to the danger of his life.
It is claimed sulphuric acid was thrown in the Scottish Sun reporter's face at his home in the city's west end last December.
The charge also includes claims the journalist had a knife brandished at him, was spat on as well as being repeatedly punched and kicked.
Both the alleged attacks are said to be “aggravated by a connection with serious organised crime”.
Burns' lawyer Thomas Ross and Susan Duff, defending Porter, today entered not guilty pleas on their behalf.
Judge Lord Bannatyne set a trial due to begin in January next year.