Dog owner bids to overturn neighbour murder conviction

A DOG owner who plunged a large ornamental dagger into a neighbour's chest when asked to clear up his pet's poo is attempting to overturn his murder conviction.

Libyan Mustafa Elsherkisi, 49, was jailed for life for the murder of Mohammed Idris Mirza, 47, which judge Roger Craik QC described as "completely unnecessary".

He ordered Elsherkisi to serve at least 15 years before he can ask to be freed.

But yesterday defence QC Maggie Scott criticised the way the judge had explained the law to a jury at the end of Elsherkisi's trial.

The Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh will give a decision at a later date.

The appeal judges could rule that the original jury's verdict should stand or order a new trial.

Elsherkisi, a former diver and chef was warned at the end of his trial that he could be deported when he is ultimately freed.