Two in court on murder bid charge

Apr 23 2009 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

A COUPLE this week appeared at court in connection with an attempted murder of a man in Hamilton.

David Christie (36) and 28-year-old Kelly Brown, both of Hamilton, were accused of attempting to murder John Malone (43) in a block of flats in the town’s Fleming Way on Sunday afternoon.

The pair also faced a charge of robbery when they appeared in private at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Tuesday afternoon.

Both made no plea or declaration when they appeared in front of a sheriff.

Their lawyer asked for bail but that was opposed and they were remanded in custody and committed for further examination.

The pair will appear in court within the next seven days when a trial date will be set.

Detectives began their enquiries after John Malone was seriously injured during an attack in Fleming Way at 12.10pm on Sunday.

He was taken to Hairmyres Hospital where his condition was described as stable.

It’s believed medical intervention saved Mr Malone’s life.

He is understood to live at a flat in Fleming Way with his girlfriend.

Police sealed off the street as forensic officers combed the area in search of clues.

A Strathclyde Police spokeswoman said that for legal reasons they couldn’t say how the man was attacked, or what type of injuries he had sustained.

She added: “We can confirm that a 43-year-old man was found with serious injuries following an incident at a house in Fleming Way, Hamilton.

“A 28-year-old woman and 36-year-old man are in custody and will appear at Hamilton Sheriff Court in relation to the incident.”

lMeanwhile, in a separate incident, police were hunting five yobs who viciously attacked a man in Blantyre.

The 32-year-old victim was seriously assaulted at a house in the town’s Calder Street in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The man’s ordeal began when he heard a commotion outside a property in Calder Street.

He mistakenly thought he knew one of the men and went into the property’s front garden where he was hit over the head from behind by one of the thugs.

He was then confronted by four other men who then set about him.

Following the attack, they fled in a taxi.

The injured man managed to get himself back into a house and raise the alarm.

He was taken to Hairmyres Hospital, suffering from a head injury and bruising, but is now recovering at home.

One of the suspects is described as between 23 and 25-years-old, 6ft 2ins tall and slim. He was wearing a grey-hooded top, and dark skip cap.

Detective constable Christine McLanachan, who is leading the enquiry, is keen to track down the taxi driver who picked up the men in Calder Street.

“We would like speak to anyone who may have witnessed this attack,” she said.

“We believe some of the attackers managed to get away into a nearby taxi, so we would also be looking to speak to the taxi driver.”

Witnesses should contact to DC McLanachan on 01698 483300, or alternatively Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where calls are free and anonymity can be maintained.