Two accused of brandishing sword and abduction

Two men appeared in court yesterday accused of abducting a Broughty Ferry couple in their 70s while brandishing a sword, locking them in a bathroom and robbing them.

Ross Gillan and Brian Hill face an armed robbery charge over an alleged incident in Strathyre Avenue, Broughty Ferry, on November 14.

It is alleged the pair, with faces partly masked, abducted the couple and instructed them to enter a bathroom in their home and secure it, detaining them against their will.

The pair are alleged to have assaulted them by brandishing a sword or similar item at them, uttering threats of violence, demanding money and pushing the man on his body to his injury.

Prosecutors say Gillan and Hill robbed them of jewellery, watches, a jewellery box, cash, car keys, wallets and their contents and a car.

Hill also faces three further charges dating from Monday.

It is alleged that at a Premier Inn hotel in Dundee he stole a set of car keys; at Byron Terrace he was in possession of a controlled drug; and that he attempted to pervert the course of justice by giving police a false name and date of birth and by swallowing a quantity of heroin.

Gillan, 37, of Byron Terrace, Dundee, and Hill, 37, of Strathmore Avenue, Dundee, made no plea during a brief private hearing on petition at Dundee Sheriff Court.

The case was continued for further examination with the pair remanded in custody.

They are expected in court next week for a further hearing.