Man and woman who 'held man in servitude' deny killing him

A man and woman have denied committing a murder in a Highland village and holding the alleged victim in servitude for almost two years.

Michael Joyce, 33, and 28-year-old Antonia Gunn are accused of attacking and murdering Michael White on April 22 or 23 last year at an address in Kyle of Lochalsh, in Ross-shire.

It is alleged they repeatedly struck him and inflicted blunt force trauma injuries to his head and body.

The pair are also accused of committing an offence under human trafficking and exploitation legislation by holding Mr White, 61, in servitude between May 1, 2021, and April 23 last year.

They are said to have instructed him to transfer money into their bank accounts, to pay for food shopping and to drive them to personal appointments.

The pair are said to have instructed him to request money from friends and family for their benefit and to enter into legal proceedings over the sale of his guest house in Kyle of Lochalsh.

Joyce and Gunn are also charged with attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

It is alleged that they disposed of cushions, towels and a T-shirt worn by Mr White and deleted photographs of him from a phone in an effort to remove evidence.

They are also alleged to have pretended to emergency services that they found the body of Mr White and that he had committed suicide.

The trial at the High Court in Edinburgh continues.