An Angus man is to stand trial charged with attacking another with an ad hoc flamethrower.
John Inness faced an indictment alleging that he left a man severely injured and permanently disfigured after setting an aerosol spray alight and directing it on to a man’s hair repeatedly, setting it alight.
The prisoner at HMP Perth appeared from custody at Forfar Sheriff Court on Thursday, when his defence agent formally continued the case to trial.
Inness, 30, formerly of Forfar, was refused bail by visiting sheriff Valerie Johnston.
He will face trial over charges alleging assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement at Archies Park, Forfar, between February 11 and February 14.
Inness was to have appeared this month but it emerged the main witness was not originally set to give evidence in person.
Depute fiscal Hannah Kennedy said the Crown would want the evidence admitted from the witness’ statement to police.
Defence agent Nick Whelan blamed an “oversight of the investigating authorities” for the delay in getting to trial.
He said: “I’m not in a position to oppose the primary motion to adjourn the trial diet, but would move for the client’s bail.
“By my calculation he’s now spent 94 days incarcerated. The authorities have had in excess of three months to find this out.”
Granting postponement to June 23, Sheriff Johnston refused Inness bail.
She said the charge was “very serious” and Inness’ record is “not good” with “a number of offences for assault and weapons”.
Mr Whelan said his client had previously had a drinking problem but has effectively detoxified himself in prison.
He denies assaulting Grant Martin by cutting and shaving his hair, striking him on the arm with a knife, repeatedly spraying the contents of an aerosol can and setting the spray alight, repeatedly directing the flame to his hair, clothing and footwear, burning him on the head and body, elbowing him on the face or otherwise in a manner to the prosecutor unknown, inflicting injuries on him all to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement, and previously evincing malice and ill will towards him.