Accused ‘battered woman with dumbbell’

A MAN appeared in court yesterday accused of attempting to murder a woman by battering her with a dumbbell and dragging her into woods.

Robbie McIntosh is alleged to have attacked Linda McDonald at Dundee’s Templeton Woods on Monday.

The incident sparked a major police response at the site in the north of Dundee, infamous for the still unsolved murders of Carol Lannen, 18, and Elizabeth McCabe, 20, whose bodies were discovered there in 1979 and 1980 respectively.

Yesterday, McIntosh appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court facing charges of attempted murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

The 31-year-old, of Strathmartine, Angus, made a brief private appearance on petition to face the charges.

Prosecutors say the attack led to severe injury, permanent disfigurement, permanent impairment and endangered Miss McDonald’s life and that McIntosh attempted to murder her.

A second charge states that at his home address McIntosh, having committed the attack, washed clothing worn during the commission of the assault in a bid to conceal and destroy evidence linking him to the crime.

McIntosh made no plea or declaration.

Sheriff Simon Collins, QC, continued the case for further examination and remanded McIntosh in custody meantime.

He is expected to appear in court again next week.