Two men have appeared in court charged with murdering a man with two punches just over an hour into the New Year.
Wes Reid and Adam Valentine are alleged to have punched Brian Fox to death in Dundee’s Nethergate at 1.15am on January 1.
A third accused, Shannon Sykes, faced charges of assault relating to alleged attacks in the moments before the alleged murder.
Mr Fox, 62, was found dying at a taxi rank in Nethergate and rushed to the city’s Ninewells Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Reid, Valentine and Sykes made separate private appearances from custody at Dundee Sheriff Court.
The trio faced a petition alleging a total of six charges.
Reid, 19, of Newport Road, Tayport, Fife, and Valentine, 24, of Thurso Crescent, Dundee, faced a petition alleging that on New Year’s Day at Nethergate, Dundee, they punched Brian Fox causing him to fall to the ground before punching him again whilst he was on the ground.
As well as the murder charge, Valentine faces four charges of assault to injury over incidents prior to the alleged killing.
Sykes, 21, of Glasgow, faced two charges of assault relating to alleged incidents shortly before the murder.
None of the trio made any plea and the cases against them were continued for further examination.
Sheriff Tom Hughes remanded Reid and Valentine in custody pending a further appearance next week.
Sykes was released on bail ahead of further court dates being set.
Detective Inspector Ross Fitzgerald of the major investigation team said: “Mr Fox’s next of kin have been updated and our thoughts are with them at this very difficult time.
“We are grateful to the community for its support while enquiries were carried out.”
Locals said there had been a good atmosphere in the area on Hogmanay, with bars full of happy revellers.
A disturbance later erupted beside a taxi rank opposite the Trades Bar in Nethergate.
