Man appears in court on murder charge over McKandie death
Steven Sidebottom, 23, made no plea or declaration
Last updated 27th Feb 2017
A man appeared in court today charged with murder almost a year after a pensioner was found dead in his rural home.
Steven Sidebottom, 23, was arrested on Thursday following a major police investigation into the death of Brian McKandie involving teams of specialist officers from across Scotland.
The body of the 67-year-old was discovered in his Badenscoth bungalow at the side of a country road leading to Rothienorman on March 12 last year.
Police launched a major search for his alleged killer taking more than 900 statements from people living in the remote community where the pensioner lived in Aberdeenshire.
Sidebottom, who lives in the Inverurie area, appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday charged with murder, robbery and the theft of a vehicle.
He has also been charged with a sexual offence, wilful fire raising and three charges of theft.
He made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody.
Mr McKandie worked as a self-employed mechanic fixing cars and other electrical items for neighbours and local residents.
Detectives investigating his sudden death discovered that he had gone to a bank in Turriff then visited a friend before returning to his roadside cottage on March 11.
Officers appealed for help in the days after his alleged murder to track down two men seen speaking to the handyman outside his home on the day he is believed to have died.
His brother William, who lives in Buckie, also called on anyone with information about what happened to his brother to "appeal to their conscience" and call the police.
In the days leading up to Christmas, William spoke to the public in the hope that someone would come forward.
He said: "Christmas is traditionally a time people spend with their family and close friends and it is exceptionally hard for us knowing that we will never see Brian again.
"It is still incredibly difficult without him particularly at this time of year and especially given the circumstances in which he died.
"Brian was a quiet gentleman, he was very hardworking and was well known in the area for his livelihood as a mechanic.
"He didn't have a lot of close friends but his business was well known in the local area and wider afield and he had a great many acquaintances.
"We have lost a much-loved member of our family and just want to know why."
The case also featured on BBC One's Crimewatch programme with a reward of £10,000 offered for information that led to a conviction.
Sidebottom's arrest on Thursday came days after police carried out new searches of a road close to where the pensioner died.
On Friday Detective chief inspector Iain Smith, from Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team, thanked the public for their assistance during the investigation.
He said: "This has been a lengthy and complex investigation which has involved significant resources from across Police Scotland.
"Our inquiries are ongoing and police activity will continue in the area."