A man has appeared in court accused of murdering a dad and sending a photo of his dead body to three women.

Kyle McAuley, 29, allegedly struck Kevin McCluskey on the head repeatedly with a dumbbell at a flat in Greenock's Nelson Street on March 24.

McAuley denied the charge at Glasgow's High Court and has lodged a special defence of self defence.

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He also stands accused of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by sending a post-mortem of McCluskey to a woman, her daughter and another woman.

It is also alleged that McAuley moved Kevin's body from the bedroom to the entrance of the flat in Nelson Street and placed a knife on the floor in an attempt to defeat the ends of justice.

McAuley pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Judge Lady Scott set a trial date for December.

Prosecutor Duncan McPhie said: “The trial is expected to last eight days.”