Man to face intimidation charges

Feb 12 2013

A man has appeared in court following allegations of witness intimidation arising from the reinvestigation of a murder 14 years ago.

Martin Clelland, 39, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Clelland, of Tranent, East Lothian, was charged under section 38 of the Criminal Justice and Licensing Act, which relates to threatening or abusive behaviour.

He made no plea or declaration and was released on bail. His next court appearance has yet to be fixed, officials confirmed.

Last month, police revealed that the unsolved murder of Steven Brown was being reinvestigated by cold case detectives.

Mr Brown, 35, was found dead in a field near Elphinstone in Tranent on Sunday February 21, 1999. He had been stabbed several times and was badly beaten.

Lothian and Borders Police hope the passage of time may mean people are more willing to come forward with information they have about the death.