Man charged over murder of pensioner

A MAN has appeared in court charged with the murder of a pensioner who was struck by his own car as he tried to stop it being stolen.

James Simpson, 76, died after he was knocked down at around 8:10pm on 29 November in Graham Place, Ashgill, South Lanarkshire.

Christopher Grenfell, 25, from Larkhall, was charged with murder, as well as theft by housebreaking and theft of a motor vehicle.

Grenfell was also charged with failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident, as well as charges of driving while disqualified and without insurance.

He made no plea or declaration when he appeared in private at Hamilton Sheriff Court and his case was adjourned until next week.

Last night police said a second man had been arrested.

He was freed pending further investigation.

A Crown Office spokesman said: “We can confirm that the procurator-fiscal in Hamilton received a report concerning a 32-year-old male, in connection with an alleged incident on 29 November, 2011.

“After full and careful consideration by the procurator-fiscal, he was liberated.”