Pair face attempted murder and assault charges

TWO men have appeared in court charged with attempted murder and assault to severe injury following an incident in West Lothian.

Christopher Darling, 20, from Bathgate, and Robert Laidlaw, 19, from Livingston, appeared on petition at Livingston Sheriff Court yesterday.

They made no plea or declaration during the brief hearing in private before Sheriff Graeme Fleming QC and were remanded in custody for further examination.

In a separate case, four men appeared on petition at the same court after a warrant was issued for them.

Michael McGookin, 24, Gary Miller, 24, and Alexander Paterson, 26, all of Fallin, Stirlingshire, and Kieran Scrambler, 19, of Bannockburn, Stirlingshire, made no plea or declaration.

They were committed for further examination on charges alleging assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement and breach of the peace.

All five were released on bail.