Man accused of killing artist during £10 robbery

Claims Dundee man, 21, battered Dutchman with piece of wood before attacking him with a knife

A man has appeared in court accused of murdering a Dutch artist while robbing him of £10.

John Styles is alleged to have battered Jeroen Van Neijhof with a piece of wood, repeatedly striking him and kicking him on the head and body.

Prosecutors say Styles then repeatedly struck him on the head and body with a knife or similar instrument and murdered him, as well as robbing him of £10 cash and a box and its contents.

Mr Neijhof, 38, was a professional artist and sculptor, originally from Apeldoorn in the Netherlands.

He produced paintings and paper sculptures from his studio at his home, selling them online for hundreds of pounds each.

Styles, 21, of no fixed abode, made no plea to a single charge of murder and robbery during a private hearing on petition at Dundee Sheriff Court on Tuesday.

Defence solicitor David Duncan made no motion for bail on Styles’ behalf during a brief hearing.

Sheriff Tom Hughes continued the case for further examination and remanded Styles in custody meantime.

He is expected to appear back in court next week.

Mr Neijhof was found dead at his flat in Dundee’s Brown Constable Street at around 9.35am last Friday.

Detective Inspector Brian Geddes, of Police Scotland’s major investigations team, said: “I would like to again thank the local community for their understanding whilst we have been carrying out our investigations.

“Additional patrols have been carried out in the area by community officers to provide reassurance and assistance to local residents.”

Dutch artist Jeroen Van Neijhof, 38, was found dead in his flat in Brown Constable Street, in Dundee.