Laurencekirk man in court on Blairgowrie murder charge

A murder accused appeared in court yesterday following the death of a man in Blairgowrie.

Craig John Robert Tilbury is alleged to have punched James Simpson on the head outside the town’s Crown Bar on Sunday night.

The charge stated he knocked the respected 44-year-old businessman to the ground with the blow.

Mr Simpson, known as “Peem”, was found seriously injured in the Wellmeadow at around 11.45pm and was taken by ambulance to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. He was pronounced dead a short time later.

Tilbury, 25, of High Street, Laurencekirk, was detained and later charged with murder.

He made no plea or declaration when he appeared in private on a petition before Sheriff Eric Brown at Perth Sheriff Court.

The case, heard before Sheriff Brown, was continued for further examination and Tilbury was remanded in custody.