A woman yesterday admitted killing a pensioner at his home in Aberdeen.
Sharyn Stewart is accused of murdering Alan Cowie, 65, at a flat in the city’s Tillydrone area in January this year.
Her advocate Tony Lenehan offered a guilty plea to the reduced charge of culpable homicide on behalf of the 52-year-old.
That was rejected by prosecutor Angela Gray during a short hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.
It means Stewart will now stand trial for murder in the New Year.
Woman makes second appearance in court charged with murder of north-east man
Prosecutors claim Mr Cowie was struck with a bottle and “by means unknown”.
Stewart is also said to have knocked him to the ground, stood on his neck and “restricted his breathing” by putting a plastic bag over his head.
She faces a separate charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice, which includes a claim Stewart asked for help in removing Mr Cowie’s body, which is said to have been hidden within a rug.
It is further alleged she previously attempted to murder Mr Cowie in April last year.
Lady Dorrian set a trial due to start in January at the High Court in Edinburgh.
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