Man appears in court after Clydebank tower block evacuation

Overtoun Court was evacuated on Monday

A man has appeared in court charged with firearms offences following the evacuation of a tower block in Clydebank.

Chris Gates, 26, made no plea when he appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court.

Residents of the town’s Overtoun Court were evacuated on Monday when police discovered a "suspect item" in a flat in the building while carrying out enquiries into the recent death of a 58-year-old man in the area.

Some locals were forced to stay in a nearby community centre overnight, while others had to stay in hotels.

Police Scotland said a bomb squad carried out a controlled explosion on the "device".

The force also said there "was nothing to suggest" the suspect item was linked to the death they were investigating in the area, which happened on 17 October.

The incident saw nearby Dalmuir train station closed, causing cancellations to trains running through the station.

Mr Gates will appear again at the court within the next eight days.