Pair To Stand Trial Over 2004 Murder

23 October 2014, 14:11

Two men are to stand trial for murder following the discovery of a body in a field 10 years ago.

Douglas Fleming, 48, and John McDonald, 56, are accused of killing father of two Martin Toner.

The pair are said to have repeatedly stabbed the 34 year-old and cut his throat on June 29 2004.

The murder is alleged to have occurred after they induced him to travel from the Key to Life Gym in Glasgow's Pollokshields to Langbank in Renfrewshire.

Fleming and McDonald are then accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice between June 29 and October 14 2004.

This includes an allegation that Mr Toner's body was left under a hedgerow at a field at North Glen Farm in Langbank before the corpse was discovered by a member of the public on July 13 2004.

It is also claimed that knowing Mr Toner's wife Michelle had reported her husband missing, the pair provided false information to her and the police.

A blood stained shirt is further said to have been disposed of.

Fleming and McDonald faced the allegations during a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.

Fleming's advocate Louise Arrol and McDonald's QC Donald Findlay entered not guilty pleas.

Judge Lady Rae set a trial due to begin in March next year.

The case could last up to six weeks.