Man in court in New Zealand over murder of Scottish journalist

ONE of the men accused of murdering a Scottish journalist in New Zealand has appeared in court.

Phillip Cottrell, 43, was found unconscious by a taxi driver outside a Baptist Church on Boulcott Street in Wellington, near the offices of Radio New Zealand where he worked, on the morning of Saturday, 7 December.

The former BBC Scotland reporter and Independent Radio News news editor was taken to hospital but died the following day.

Police in New Zealand said two teenagers had been charged with his murder last month.

Nicho Waipuka, 19, appeared at Wellington District Court today, where he was remanded in custody until his next appearance on 3 February.

The second accused, 17-year-old Manuel Robinson, has been released on bail until the next hearing.

Mr Cottrell’s former colleagues at BBC Scotland paid tribute to him following his murder, describing him as “a gentle, kind man with an impish sense of humour”.