Pair deny murdering man

A man and woman have denied murdering Chapelhall dad-of-two Scott French.

Ryan Shields, 24, and Holli Allison, 21, are accused of murdering Mr French, 27, who was known as Frenchy, at a property in the village’s Queens Crescent on April 4.

Prosecutors allege that the pair repeatedly punched and kicked him, struck him with a blunt object and then stabbed him with knives.

They are also charged with attempting to defeat the ends of justice by turning over a blood-stained mattress, placing a blood-stained sheet in a washing machine, attempting to clean blood from knives and changing their clothing.

Shields is further accused of taking off his shoes and hiding them under a police vehicle, removing his clothing and urinating on it and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

At the time of the alleged offences Shields was out on bail.

During the pair’s appearance at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday, defence QC Ian Duguid, representing Shields, lodged a special defence of self defence on his behalf.

Donald Findlay QC, representing Allison, asked for her to be granted bail, saying:“There is no indication when a trial will take place.”

Prosecutor Stephen Borthwick said the case is ready for trial and is expected to last six days.

However, due to the Covid 19 pandemic, no trial can be fixed at present.

Judge Lord Arthurson continued the case until November and added:“It is to be hoped a trial can be set then.”

Allison was refused bail and both are remanded in custody awaiting trial.