Man accused of hammer attack before flat fire

Mark Gray entered no plea at Glasgow Sheriff Court

A man has appeared in court accused of seriously injuring his ex-partner and setting her flat on fire in South Lanarkshire.

Mark Gray allegedly assaulted the woman at her home in Cambuslang on 16 January, using a mop and a hammer.

The 34-year-old has been charged with 10 offences in total, including assaulting police officers and wilfully setting fire to the flat, which caused extensive damage and forced residents in the building to be evacuated.

Mr Gray made no plea to the charges at a private hearing at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

Court papers state that he struck a woman on the head and body with a mop, then repeatedly hit her on the head and body with a hammer.

He went on to seize her then repeatedly punched her on the head, causing her severe injury.

A separate allegation states that Mr Gray also attacked a 16-year-old girl, punching her in the head and the body.

The allegations say he forcibly pressed his thumbs into her eyes to her injury and behaved in a threatening or abusive manner by approaching the girl with a hammer.

It is claimed he chased her and made threatening gestures towards her.

He is also said to have shouted, sworn, uttered threats of violence and attempted to seize a dog.

Accused of police assault

Further allegations are that Mr Gray made threatening gestures while in possession of scissors and assaulted another woman at the property by punching her in the head.

He is also accused of assaulting two police officers by throwing cans of alcohol at them.

He is said to have also thrown scissors at another officer.

A fourth officer is claimed to have been the target of racially aggravated conduct by Mr Gray.

A tenth and final charge claims that he wilfully set fire to the flat which caused "extensive fire and smoke damage" to all rooms in the property.

Mr Gray was remanded in custody and committed for further examination.

He will appear at court again within the next eight days.