Man denies murdering his grandmother at home with blunt instrument

Kathleen Milward: The 87-year-old was found dead at her home in January.

A man has gone on trial accused of murdering his 87-year-old grandmother at her home.

Garry Kane, 40, is alleged to have attacked Kathleen Milward in the Stonehouse area of Lanarkshire, on January 3 this year.

The High Court in Dumbarton was told that Mrs Milward died from head and neck injuries and ischaemic heart disease.

This was part of a joint minute of facts agreed by the Crown and Kane’s defence counsel which was read out to the jurors.

Advocate depute Jennifer Bain, prosecuting, said: "A post-mortem examination on March 20 found that the cause of death was head and neck injuries and ischaemic heart disease.”

It is alleged the 40-year-old struck his grandmother on the head with a blunt implement, applied pressure to her neck by means unknown and murdered her.

He is also accused of stealing money from her house.

Kane also faces a separate allegation that he behaved in a threatening and abusive manner towards his grandmother between December 24, 2011 and January 3, 2012.

He is further accused of possessing heroin at several locations in Lanarkshire and additionally faces three theft charges.

Kane denies all the charges against him. The trial before judge Lord Matthews is expected to last ten days.

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