Two men deny fatal stabbing attack

Andrew Ross died in Peterhead last year

Two men have gone on trial charged with murdering a man with knives in an Aberdeenshire town.

Ethan Carlyle, 22, and Luke Allan, 28, deny murdering Andrew Ross, 52, in Peterhead in February last year.

It is alleged they pursued Mr Ross at the town’s Ives Road and struck him repeatedly on the head and body with knives.

Mr Carlyle and Mr Allan both pled not guilty at the High Court in Aberdeen.

Both men also deny a charge of assaulting another man, Barry Middleton, with a knife to his severe injury.

Mr Allan further denies drugs charges.

Advocate depute Lindsey Dalziel, prosecuting for the Crown, told the jury that the Crown and the defence agreed police found Mr Ross lying on the road, unresponsive, and "bleeding heavily".

The court heard CPR was attempted, but was unsuccessful.

Police were called to the scene in Peterhead

The jury was shown CCTV of the incident in question.

Det Con Kim Duncan, of Police Scotland, said it showed Mr Ross appearing to be struck several times by men who both looked to have an object in their right hand.

She said a man believed to be Mr Allan could be seen using a "punching or stabbing motion".

And she said a man believed to be Mr Carlyle also began to strike towards where Mr Ross was lying.

Judge Buchanan told the jury the case against Mr Carlyle, defended by Gareth Jones KC, and Mr Allan, defended by Brian McConnachie KC, was expected to last about seven days.

The trial continues.