Three stand trial over park death

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and co-accused David Meehan, 19, and Martin Soutar, 21, are accused of killing James Kerr.

The trio are all from Perth and are alleged to have murdered the 51-year-old at the town's South Inch public park in April this year.

They denied all the charges against them at the High Court in Perth.

The indictment alleges that all three murdered Mr Kerr by punching and kicking him, stamping on his head and hitting him on the face with a piece of glass.

Crime scene

They were also accused of stealing a lighter and a set of keys from Mr Kerr, which was denied.

Mr Meehan and Mr Soutar further denied committing the offence while subject to bail.

Judge Lord Macphail started proceedings by issuing a warning to the jury not to visit the alleged crime scene .

He said: "This alleged crime is alleged to have been committed at the South Inch. You will all know where that is.

"Do not be tempted to go there and make your own observations and investigations. It is tempting I am sure, but do not do it.

"It could lead to all kinds of trouble if somebody had gone there and tried to make their own investigations."

Mr Kerr had worked as an officer for Perth and Kinross Council for about three years prior to his death in April.

The trial continues.

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