Two charged with murder of man whose body was found in field

Police are appealing for information over the death of Robert Best

Two men have appeared in court charged with the murder of a man found dead in a field in Inverclyde.

The body of Robert Best, 50, was discovered near High Mathernock Farm near Kilmacolm at about 09:20 on Tuesday, hours after he had been reported missing from Greenock.

Stephen Shields, 44 and Andrew Brodie, 51, appeared at Greenock Sheriff Court on Wednesday charged with both murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice. Neither man entered any plea.

A 45-year-old man was also arrested in connection with alleged assault, but released pending further inquiries.

Robert Best's body was found in a field near Kilmacolm about 09:20 on Tuesday

Officers previously said they were looking into a report of a disturbance in Lansbury Street, Greenock, which took place between 23:00 on Monday and 03:00 on Tuesday.

Det Ch Insp Graham McCreadie said: "Our thoughts are with Robert's family and friends at this time. We are providing them with support as our investigation continues.

"An extensive investigation is being carried out and I am asking anyone who was in the Lansbury Street area or near High Mathernock Farm at those times to get in touch.

"If you have CCTV, private footage or dash-cam footage of that may have captured something, please contact us. Any information, no matter how small it may seem, could be vital."

An online portal has been set up to encourage members of the public to submit information directly to officers.

Both the arrested men were remanded in custody to appear in court again within the next eight days.