A man appeared in court yesterday accused of murdering a cook at a north-east takeaway.
Hidayet Ozden is charged with murdering 56-year-old Shahzad Shah at the popular Mirchi Indian Cuisine eatery in Mintlaw.
The 52-year-old is also facing a charge of assault following the incident on Monday evening.
Ozden, who is from the Falkirk area, made no plea or declaration during his brief hearing behind closed doors at Peterhead Sheriff Court yesterday.
He was remanded in custody, and is due to appear before a judge again next week.
Monday’s incident at Mirchi in The Square area of Mintlaw sent shock waves through the central Buchan community and community leaders have paid tribute to Mr Shah.
In the wake of his death, one local man described the alleged incident as the worst crime in living memory.
Emergency crews were called to the takeaway, which neighbours the village’s Nisa franchise, at around 5.30pm on Monday, following reports of an alleged disturbance.
A 56-year-old man had collapsed at the scene and despite the best efforts of medics could not be revived. Police initially treated the incident as “suspicious” and later charged Ozden.
There remained a heavy police presence outside the cordoned-off Mirchi outlet yesterday. Two patrol cars blocked the entrance to the small shop, whose windows had been boarded up from inside.
Last night Mintlaw resident and local councillor Jim Ingram spoke of his disbelief and sadness at Mr Shah’s death.
He said: “It is always sad whatever the background to the incident, it’s very sad. Two families are affected by the knock-on effects of what has happened.”
His fellow central Buchan councillor Norman Smith added that he had been following the case closely.
He added: “I didn’t know him, I’ve only had contact with the owner in the past.
“But it’s a tragedy for the whole village and you think of the families. That’s two families terribly affected.”