A man has denied murdering a Dundee man — claiming he acted in self-defence.
Arran Fender appeared today for a preliminary hearing at the High Court in Glasgow in front of Lord Boyd QC.
Fender, a prisoner at HM Prison Perth, denies that on May 16 this year, at the junction of Lawton Road and Lawton Terrace in Dundee, he assaulted Gary McMillan.
He has been accused of inflicting blunt force trauma to his head and body by means unknown.
Fender further denies repeatedly striking the 44-year-old on the body with a knife or similar implement and murdering him.
He tendered a special defence of self-defence to the charge at the hearing yesterday.
The 31-year-old also denies that on an occasion between February 1 and March 31 this year — both dates inclusive — at an address in Lawton Terrace, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner by threatening Mr McMillan, residing at the address and now deceased, with a knife.
Fender denies a further two charges, both of which relate to him allegedly being in possession of a knife, without reasonable excuse or lawful authority, in a public place on May 15 in three separate locations in Dundee.
The final charge against Fender states that on May 16 this year, at an address in Dundee’s Glenmarkie Terrace — having allegedly murdered Mr McMillan and being conscious of his guilt — he gave his mother Annie Hamilton the clothing and footwear worn when he committed the alleged murder.
Fender then allegedly asked her to dispose of the items, which she did, in a bin chute in Dundee’s Landsdowne Court.
In doing so, it is alleged Fender did conceal or destroy evidence linking him to the alleged murder and did this to attempt to pervert the course of justice.
Fender denies all the charges against him.
A trial diet was set for January 11 2018 at the High Court in Edinburgh and Fender was remanded in custody.
After Mr McMillan’s death, tributes poured in for the man, who was described as a “decent loyal guy” and “more than willing to help a mate out”.
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