Murder accused faces sex assault and theft charges

Court: 23-year-old accused of pensioner’s murder faces sexual assault and theft charges

THE man accused of murdering north-east pensioner Brian McKandie has appeared in court charged with a string of offences including robbery, theft and sexual assault.

Steven Sidebottom appeared in private at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday having been detained by police last week.

His arrest follows a yearlong police investigation into the mechanic’s death.

The 23-year-old was initially taken into custody to help officers with their inquiries.

However on Friday it was announced a man had been charged in connection with Mr McKandie’s death.

Last night basic details of the allegations Sidebottom faces emerged as he was held in custody to await a

further court appearance next week.

As well as being accused of murder, Sidebottom is also facing charges of robbery, sexual assault, car theft and wilful fireraising.

He also faces an additional charge of theft.

Sidebottom, whose address was given as the Inverurie area, made no plea when he appeared in front of Sheriff Graham Buchanan yesterday.

He was remanded in custody and will return to the dock next week for his case to be fully committed. Handyman Mr McKandie, was last seen alive on Friday, March 11. His body was discovered the next day at his cottage at Badenscoth, near Rothienorman.

A worried local, who had left his car with the mechanic to be repaired, had raised the alarm when he could not contact him to collect it.

Mr McKandie, who was self-employed, had customers from all across the north-east, from Aberdeen to Peterhead.

He was popular in the area and was known for fixing anything from cars to washing machines and TVs.

In the past year, the force has carried out interviews with hundreds of residents, motorists, friends and former customers of Mr McKandie. The investigation was one of the largest forensic searches in Police Scotland’s history.

After the detention of Sidebottom last week a heavy police presence could be seen around a farm just south of Rothienorman.

A patch of land close to the farmhouse was cordoned off and specialist investigators in white forensic suits could be seen examining the area.

TRAGEDY: Brian McKandie, inset, was found dead at his home in Fairview Cottages, Badenscoth

INQUIRY: Police Scotland at Brian McKandie’s cottage near Rothienorman after his body was discovered Brian McKandie