A MAN charged with setting a pigeon shed alight at a Greenock home and killing several birds within is set to stand trial at the sheriff court.

David Spencer torched the wooden structure, causing fatal injuries to a number of birds that were housed within, at a property on Durham Road in the Larkfield estate two years ago, according to prosecutors.

The 41-year-old, of Lynedoch Street, is accused of wilfully setting fire to and destroying the outdoor hut on June 2, 2022.

Spencer first appeared in court to face the allegation in July 2022 – and at the latest calling of the case last week a four-day jury trial was scheduled for the end of this month.

The hearing was told that a previously scheduled trial had been adjourned due to uncertainty over whether a second man would be prosecuted in the matter.

Defence solicitor Amy Spencer told the court that the Crown was waiting for a DNA report for an item found at the scene, but the results were not yet available.

The lawyer stated that there was 'absolutely no prospect' of the report being ready for the trial that is currently assigned, and added that she was 'content' for the sitting to go ahead in its absence.

Fiscal depute Kirstin Brierley said: “The Crown has always been of the view that as far as Mr Spencer is concerned, the Crown has sufficiency [to proceed] with CCTV footage and witnesses.

“There was a possible co-accused and that did involve analysis of DNA but it doesn’t appear that that has been instructed yet.”

Sheriff Anthony McGeehan continued the case to a trial scheduled to start on July 22.

The accused will remain on bail until then.