A man has gone on trial accused of murdering a north-east dad nearly 20 years ago.
Barry Henderson denies killing Gordon Graham and attempting to murder his wife Anne in a flat fire on High Street, Fraserburgh in May 1998.
Prosecutors claim Henderson, 42, from Fraserburgh, wilfully set fire to materials in the ground floor common stair and landing area, and that the blaze spread to two flats occupied by the Graham family.
As the five-week trial got under way at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday, the jury heard a joint minute of agreed facts in the case.
They were told the two flats at 74 High Street were occupied by Gordon Graham, his wife and children and that they were known locally as “the family from hell.”
The jury also heard that Mr Graham died of smoke inhalation and his body was scorched by fire. At the time of his death he was “substantially under the influence of alcohol and cannabis.”
Henderson is also accused of assaulting a woman in a nightclub in Fraserburgh, by kicking her on the leg and attempting to punch her, and of committing a breach of the peace at a nearby car park on May 3, 1998.
He also faces another charge that he behaved in a threatening manner on a bus between Crimond and Fraserburgh last November.
Henderson, who is represented by defence QC Brian McConnachie, denies all the charges against him and has lodged special defences of alibi and incrimination.
The trial, before judge Lord Ericht, continues.