Man charged with murder following Bathgate death

Mariusz Winiarski made no plea or declaration.

Published 19th Dec 2016

A man has appeared in court charged with murder following the death of a 54-year-old in West Lothian.

Brian Stirling sustained a head injury in an incident on Bathgate's King Street at around 3am on Saturday.

He was taken to St John's Hospital in Livingston but later died.

Mariusz Winiarski, 35, was charged with murder, assault and breach of the peace when he appeared at Livingston Sheriff Court on Monday.

He made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody.

In a statement released through police, Mr Stirling's family said: We are struggling with the loss of Brian, our thoughtful, kind, gentle giant.

We would like to thank everyone who has contacted us to show their support. This means so much to us and also shows that everyone knew what a wonderful person he was and always will be to us.

We would now respectfully ask that our privacy at this difficult time as we struggle to come to terms with the sudden and unexpected loss of our beloved son, brother, uncle and fiancee.''