Man charged over death of lecturer

A MAN has appeared in court charged with the murder of a university lecturer found dead at his home.

The body of Roger Gray, 64, was discovered in the hallway of his property in the Merchiston area of Edinburgh last Saturday morning.

Officers were called to the house by gas workers, who had been alerted to the smell of gas coming from the building.

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday Pawel Rodak, of no fixed abode, was charged with murder, culpable and reckless conduct and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

The 20-year-old made no plea and no declaration during the hearing and was remanded in custody.

Earlier, police urged two cyclists, who were seen on Merchiston Crescent at its junction with West Castle Road at around 1.30am on Saturday, to contact them.