Four deny murdering man in fight

Four men have gone on trial accused of murdering a man during a fight.

Jamie Nicol, 25, and Daniel McArthur, 21, are alleged to have killed Stephen Johnston, 37, during a fight in Elgin, Moray, last year. Brothers Andrew, 23, and Dale Wilson, 26, are also alleged to have been involved in Mr Johnston's death in Lesmurdie Road.

Baseball bats, golf clubs, metal bars, knives and a For Sale sign were allegedly used as weapons during the incident on 24 June.

The four are further claimed to have attempted to murder Derek Simpson hours earlier in Blackburn, on the outskirts of Aberdeen.

They are said to have repeatedly struck Mr Simpson on the head with a hammer and struck his body with a knife at a children's playpark in the village.

All four men deny murder and a string of other charges against them.

McArthur claims he was acting in self-defence during the alleged attempted murder and claims he was not at the scene of the alleged murder.

Nicol claims he was acting in defence of Andrew Wilson during the alleged fight which led to the death of Mr Johnston.

And Dale Wilson has lodged a special defence of self-defence.

The trial at the High Court in Aberdeen continues.