MURDER TRIAL DATE SET

Sheriff rejects reduced plea

A man is to stand trial later this year for a murder in Hamilton.

Gary Smith (24), of Larkhall, is accused of attacking Joseph Mcmenemy at the 27-year-old’s home on November 15, 2016.

Smith’s advocate Tony Graham offered to plead guilty to the reduced allegation of culpable homicide.

But prosecutor Jim Keegan QC told the High Court in Glasgow last Friday: “That plea is not acceptable.”

Smith, who appeared from custody, will now stand trial for murder in September.

It is claimed Mr Mcmenemy was repeatedly struck on the head, neck and body with a knife or knives or “similar implements”.

The attack is said to have occurred at his home in Hamilton’s Donaldson Street last November 15.