Court appearance over boy's death

Luke Gargan's body was found 15 miles from his home

A man has appeared in court in connection with the death of a four-year-old boy who disappeared from his home at the weekend.

John Gourlay, 35, of Foxbar in Paisley, appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court accused of the abduction and murder of Luke Gargan, from Saltcoats in Ayrshire.

Appearing in private before Sheriff Thomas Croan, Mr Gourlay was charged with abducting Luke and taking him to a nature reserve at Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, and murdering him.

Mr Gourlay made no plea or declaration and was remanded in custody.

He is expected to reappear in court next Monday.

Luke was reported missing after his mother, Brenda, 22, found his bed empty early on Saturday morning.

His body was found at around midnight on Saturday after a major search involving police and a helicopter.