Man, 37, accused of son’s murder appears in court

CRIME: Unable to appear in court due to injuries but sheriff has private hearing

A father accused of murdering his 10-year-old son by stabbing him at their home was fully committed for trial.

Andrew Morris, 37, was brought to Perth Sheriff Court for the hearing but was unable to appear in a normal courtroom.

Due to the severe hip and leg injuries he suffered in a fall from an upper floor window, he was deemed unfit to be brought upstairs to a public court.

Instead, Sheriff Derek Reekie presided over a private hearing convened in a basement cell at the court and fully committed Morris – known as Karl – for trial at a later date.

The petition on which he appeared alleges he murdered his son Kane Morris at their home in Coupar Angus, Perthshire, on November 11.

It further alleges Morris left an eightyear-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, severely injured and permanently impaired during a bid to murder her.

Morris, who was badly injured during the incident in which his son died, was represented by solicitor Cheryl McKnight and no pleas to the charges were entered on his behalf.

Depute fiscal Michael Sweeney, representing the Crown, confirmed Morris remains on remand.

The body of Kane Morris was discovered at a property in Union Street, Coupar Angus, at around 2.30am on Sunday November 11.

The eight-year-old girl was found critically injured nearby.

Flowers and teddy bears left in tribute to Kane as his classmates returned to Coupar Angus Primary School in the wake of the incident remain on public view in the town.

A heavy police presence has also been maintained.

Kane had performed in school plays and was a keen dancer who twice won a local talent competition.

A spokesman for the boy’s family said: “Kane was a popular young boy within the community, he was full of energy and loved dearly by all.

“As you can understand, this is a devastating experience for us as a family.

“Although we appreciate all your well wishes, we ask for privacy at this highly sensitive time.”

The boy’s mother, Laura Anne Gillie, 39, is a nurse with NHS Tayside.

The incident happened at a former Royal Bank of Scotland building that had been converted to flats.

Detective Inspector Ross Fitzgerald, from the major investigation team, said: “This is a tragic incident and our thoughts at this time remain with those involved.

“We appreciate this has been a very traumatic incident for those involved and the impact this has had on the local community.”

Andrew Morris is taken from court after being charged with murdering his son.