A man has gone on trial accused of robbing a chip shop at gunpoint after tying the owner up in the bathroom before abducting his wife and stealing their car to make his getaway.

Nichola McGurk appeared in court on Monday charged with carrying out an armed robbery and abduction in the Perthshire town of Coupar Angus on Friday night.

McGurk, from Glasgow, appeared in private to face a series of charges relating to a robbery at Brodies Traditional Fish and Chip shop in the town.

The 32-year-old is alleged to have carried out the masked raid and assaulted Yung Hing Wong and Wai Man Wong by brandishing a firearm and knife at them and demanding money on August 26.

McGurk allegedly threatened to kill the chip shop staff and pushed them before binding Yung Hing Wong's hands and securing him to fittings in the shop bathroom.

It is alleged that he instructed Wai Man Wong to lock the bathroom door before McGurk took money from the till and struck her and pointed the gun in her face.

He is then alleged to have demanded keys to a car, before stealing cash, two phones and a bag of groceries and the vehicle.

McGurk is accused of then abducting Wai Man Wong and demanding she enter a Mercedes A140 at knifepoint.

He is further alleged to have seized her by the neck and tried to kiss her and slapped her on the face.

Further charges allege that McGurk drove dangerously by mounting the pavements of several streets at speed in a built-up area, and drove without a licence or insurance.

He is also also alleged to have taken and driven away a vehicle.

He made no plea or declaration at Perth Sheriff Court and was remanded in custody by Sheriff Lindsay Foulis.

The case against him was continued for further examination.