Man to stand trial for murder of police station janitor 27 years ago

A man is to stand trial accused of the murder of a police station janitor in Glasgow more than 27 years ago.

Allan Humphrey, 68, allegedly killed Michael McManus on his way to work at Baird Street station in Riddrie on 13 July 1999.

Court papers state that Humphrey stabbed 46-year-old McManus on the body and leg with a knife or similar instrument.

Humphrey pleaded not guilty to the single charge of murder during a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.

More stories from Glasgow & West Scotland

Donald Findlay KC, defending, lodged a special defence of incrimination against a named person, Michael Todd.

He said: "I discovered that Mr Todd is no longer with us as he died some years ago.

"It is a significant handicap for me during the trial.

"There is nothing I can do about it if he is dead, he is dead."

Prosecutor Alex Prentice KC also told the hearing there were further witnesses who have died since the incident.

McManus, who was also known as Mike, had worked as a janitor at the police station for three years at the time of his death.

BBC News reports from the time told how an attack took place as he was on his way to work.

McManus had been seen shouting into Ness Street before he was found dead by a passerby a short time later.

Checkpoints were set up after the incident by officers hoping to try to jog the memories of anyone in the Riddrie area.

The court heard that the trial would be down to eyewitnesses as there was no CCTV evidence.

An eight-day trial was fixed by Judge Lord Scott for the High Court in Edinburgh in November 2027.