Student appears in Dundee court charged with attempted murder

An American student has appeared in court accused of attempting to murder a friend by spiking his drink with anti-freeze at St Andrews University.

Alexander Hilton appeared before a sheriff to face the charge more than four years after the alleged incident.

Hilton is accused of trying to kill 19-year-old Robert Forbes in February 2011 at the St Andrews Uni New Hall Ball.

It is alleged he spiked Mr Forbes’ red wine with methanol, used in anti-freeze.

The 24-year-old, of Princeton, Massachussets, appeared in private on petition at Dundee Sheriff Court, charged with assault to severe injury and permanent impairment and attempted murder.

He made no plea or declaration during the brief hearing and the case was continued for further examination.

Sheriff Elizabeth Munro granted the US national bail ahead of further court dates being set.