Witness identifies murder accused

A man accused of bludgeoning a north-east mechanic to death in his home was seen outside the property on March 10 2016, the day before the victim died.

Brian McKandie’s body was found in Fairview Cottages in Badenscoth.

Steven Sidebottom, 25, is on trial at the High Court in Aberdeen accused of murdering him and stealing money.

Yesterday a friend of Mr McKandie said she and her children saw Sidebottom at the property the day before Mr McKandie died.

The court also heard police did not realise there had been a murder for a week.

“It took police a month to find stacks of money in the house”

They believed Mr Mckandie died in an accident and so did not take precautions such as wearing protective gear.

The court also heard it took investigators a month to find stacks of notes totalling thousands of pounds in the home.

Giving evidence yesterday, Jill Auchnie said Mr McKandie had been doing work on her car and she had gone to collect it on the evening of March 10.

She said she saw a white van parked there and a man exiting the garage as she went in.

She said her children joined her as she spoke to Mr McKandie for 15 to 20 minutes.

When she came out the man was still there.

Advocate depute Iain McSporran QC asked her if she could see the man in court. She identified Sidebottom.

Sidebottom, of Crannabog Farm in Rothienorman, denies the charge against him.

His defence team have launched two special defences; one that he was elsewhere when the crime took place and the second that another man was responsible.

The trial, before Lord Uist, continues.