Man accused of wife's murder to stand trial

Keotshepile Naso Isaacs was allegedly killed by her husband in North Berwick on New Year's Day

A man is to stand trial accused of murdering his wife at a house in East Lothian.

Mompati Dodo Isaacs allegedly stabbed Keotshepile Naso Isaacs, known as Naso, on her head, neck and body after shouting at her and pinning her down to a bed at the house in North Berwick on New Year's Day.

The 38-year-old is also accused of engaging in a course of abusive behaviour towards Mrs Isaacs, 33, between October 2022 and the day of her murder in the town and their home country of Botswana. He is further charged with threatening another man and accusing him of having an affair with his wife.

Mr Isaacs' offer of a plea of culpable homicide in connection with the death was rejected by prosecutors during a short hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.

Gareth Jones KC, defending, told the hearing a special defence that Isaacs had been acting with "diminished responsibility" at the time of the alleged murder had been lodged.

The prosecution, led by advocate depute Ali Murray, claims Mr Isaacs physically assaulted his wife, tracked her mobile phone, tried to control what she wore and sent her abusive texts prior to her death.

He is also alleged to have made her leave a property at night knowing she had nowhere else to stay.

Mrs Isaacs' funeral took place in Botswana in February after a crowdfunding campaign raised more than £3,000 to fly her body to southern Africa.

Lord Armstrong fixed a trial lasting up to eight days which is scheduled to begin in September 2025.