Police ScotlandA fourth man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a Greenock dad who was found in a field in Inverclyde with stab wounds.
Police were called after Robert Best’s burnt body was discovered in a field near High Mathernock Farm in Kilmacolm around 9.20am on November 11.
Mr Best had been reported missing from Greenock on the same day. A murder investigation was launched following the incident.
Brian O’Neill has appeared at the town’s Sheriff Court charged with one count of murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
The 39-year-old from Greenock made no plea and was remanded in custody. He is due to appear in court within the next eight days.
Four men, aged 25, 36, 44 and 51, and two women aged 41 and 64, have previously appeared in court as part of the investigation.
Murder investigation court appearance
Andrew Brodie, 51, and Stephen Shields, 44, are alleged to have stabbed the 50-year-old to death at Shields’ flat on Lansbury Street on November 10.
They are accused of removing the man’s body in a rug and taking it to a field where they “attempted to set fire to it”.
The pair made no plea and were remanded in custody.
Gary McGowan appeared at Greenock Sheriff Court charged with murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
The 36-year-old made no plea and was remanded in custody.
Detectives arrested a further three people, two women and a 41-year-old man, in connection with the death.
Dorothy Shields, 64, and Nicola Brisland (Campbell), 41, of Port Glasgow, appeared in court charged with attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
Both made no plea and were granted bail.
The 41-year-old man has been released pending further enquiries.
A 45-year-old man was also previously arrested in connection with assault and released pending further enquiries.
A 25-year-old man was charged in connection with attempting to pervert the course of justice.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death is ongoing.
A total of nine people have been arrested in connection with Robert Best’s murder, with seven charged.
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