A MAN has been accused of murdering a Scots comedian almost 17 years ago.

Graham Fraser, 52, is charged with being involved in the killing of Hugh Ferris at the entertainer's flat in Pollokshields, Glasgow in December 1997.

Fraser is said to have joined Donald Murray - who is now dead - in breaking into the 58- year-old's ground floor property in Leven Street.

The indictment claims a chisel was held against Mr Ferris's neck before he was repeatedly punched, his hands and feet bound with electrical cable and his pockets rifled through.

It is further alleged a telephone cable was pulled from a socket and that no attempt was made to get medical help.

The murder charge also claims Mr Ferris was then abandoned while he was tied up and unable to get assistance.

Fraser, of the city's Govanhill, was not present during yesterday's short hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.

His lawyer, George Gebbie, said defence inquiries were ongoing.

Judge Lord Bannatyne adjourned the case until next month.

Fraser was charged after a report was sent to the procurator fiscal in 2012 following a cold case review into Mr Ferris's death.

Mr Ferris had once been a popular entertainer in Glasgow's pubs and clubs.

Scots actor Peter Mullan, a close friend of Mr Ferris, once put up a £5000 reward for information into his death.

Mullan had given Mr Ferris a role in his film, Orphans, but he died before it was released.

catriona.stewart@eveningtimes.co.uk