3 Men Accused Of Aberdeen Shopping Centre Murder

Three men have gone on trial charged with murder outside an Aberdeen Shopping Centre.

Kiel Hauley, 33, Jonas Marcius, 23, and Adrian Morley, 33, are accused of assaulting and murdering Craig Grant outside a city shopping centre between August 8-9 last year.

The trio, who all live in Aberdeen, are claimed to have attempted to punch Mr Grant on the head, seized him by the neck and forced him to the ground.

Mr Grant was allegedly struck on the head and body, placed in a neck or choke hold and had his neck compressed.

The three men are accused of holding Mr Grant on the ground, restricting his breathing, asphyxiating him and murdering him.

They all deny the charge against them. Hauley and Marcius have both lodged special defences of self defence.

The men went on trial at the High Court in Aberdeen today and the case is expected to last up to three weeks.

A joint minute was read out to the jury today stating that books of photographs had been agreed as evidence by all lawyers involved in the case.

The court heard that photographs had been taken at the Galleria Shopping Centre in Aberdeen's Bon Accord Street where Mr Grant was allegedly murdered.

Various photographs were also taken of the city's Tonik cafe bar and of Mr Grant and his belongings at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

The trial continues.