Police ScotlandA man has been accused of murdering a mother and her two-year-old daughter.
Andrew Innes allegedly killed Bennylyn Burke, 25, and her child, Jellica Burke, at a house in Troon Avenue, Dundee.
Prosecutors claim the 51-year-old then hid the bodies under the kitchen floor of the property with a further accusation that he also raped a seven-year-old girl.
Innes faced the charges as he appeared via video-link at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday.
The alleged murders are said to have occurred between February 20 and March 5 this year.
It is claimed Innes stabbed Ms Burke on the body with a knife as well as repeatedly striking her on the head with a hammer and the handle of the blade.
The indictment alleges Innes murdered her two-year-old daughter Jellica and that he did “asphyxiate her by means unknown”.
Innes then faces a charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
This includes a claim that he did wrap the body of Ms Burke in a rubble bag, blanket and tarpaulin and then concealed the corpse in concrete under the kitchen floor at the Troon Avenue property.
Jellica’s naked body is also said to have been hidden there.
The charge also features a claim that Innes told police investigating Ms Burke’s whereabouts that he had driven her, Jellica and another child to the Old Inns Cafe in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, on February 28.
He is said to have told the officers he left them with an “unknown male” and that he had no contact with them afterwards.
Innes also allegedly pretended to a young girl that Ms Burke was in hospital and Jellica was in Bristol.
Innes is separately accused of assaulting, raping and attempting to rape that same child as well detaining her against her will at the house in Dundee.
This is also said to have happened between the same dates of the alleged murders.
No plea was entered at the hearing on Tuesday.
Innes had no lawyer acting for him in court. The nature of the charges means he must get legal representation for any possible trial.
Prosecutor Alex Prentice QC told the court: “I understand that he has made an application for legal aid and that was refused.
“He has instructed an Edinburgh solicitor (Stephen Knowles) on a very limited mandate.
“I have been in touch with the solicitor in person today and he has knowledge of the case.
“My understanding is [Innes] does not intend to instruct legal representation for further hearings.
“The Crown then moves that Mr Knowles is appointed by the court.”
Lord Armstrong confirmed with Innes what was stated by Mr Prentice was right.
The judge went on: “Given the nature of the case, I am going to formally appoint a solicitor. You have no difficulty with that?”
Innes replied: “That is correct.”
The case was adjourned until a further hearing in December.
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