Two men have gone on trial accused of attempting to murder an Inverness family following a charity night at city pub.
Matthew Boyle, 42, and Kevin Deans, 40, appeared at the High Court in Aberdeen yesterday facing a total of eight charges.
Prosecutors allege the pair tried to kill Charlie, John and Sylvia Gallagher by attacking them with a knife on August 30 last year.
They are accused of assaulting the trio outside the Broadsword Bar and Lounge at Hayton Road in the Tillydrone area of Aberdeen.
It is alleged that both men acted together to stab members of the family on the head and body, leaving them severely injured and permanently disfigured.
And it is alleged the injuries suffered by Mr Gallagher have left him impaired for life.
Boyle and Deans, both of Aberdeen, are also accused of attacking Elaine Murdoch by striking her on the head with a glass bottle, as well as being in possession of illegal substances.
The pair deny all the charges against them and Boyle has lodged a special defence of self defence.
Yesterday a jury of eight men and seven women were read a joint minute of agreed facts which will be crucial to the case.
Advocate depute Bernard Ablett, prosecuting, told the court DNA samples were taken from all the alleged victims following the incident, as well as samples from the accused.
Pictures were also taken of the scene and of the Gallaghers’ injuries and will be shown to the jurors during the trial.
Mr Ablett said that Deans and Boyle were both detained later on the day of August 30 following a disturbance outside the Broadsword Bar in the early hours of the morning.
Witnesses are expected to start giving evidence today.
Following the incident, which left the Gallaghers seriously injured, police taped off a large area around the pub as investigations were carried out.
Forensic teams could be seen examining the area and officers worked through the night at the scene, covering an area from the bar to Saint George’s Tillydrone Church
Churchgoers had to pass police tape to get to the Sunday service, while the nearby Co-op store was shut for most of the day as investigations continued.
A section of Hayton Road was closed off to the public, and the number 19 bus service had to be re-routed.
