Threats were made to kill a "family from hell" hours before a man died in a blaze at his home, a court has been told.

Gordon Graham, 43, lost his life after the fire tore through his flat in Fraserburgh on May 3, 1998.

Barry Henderson, 42, has denied murdering Mr Graham and attempting to murder his wife Anne by setting fire to material on the stairs and landing of their close.

On Wednesday a trial at the High Court in Glasgow heard evidence from Jeff Simpson, a fire safety worker from Fraserburgh.

Mr Simpson said he could not remember exactly what happened on the night of Mr Graham's death, but told prosecutor Jim Keegan QC that what he told the police in a statement given on May 10, 1998 was the truth.

In it Mr Simpson said he was walking past takeaway Sugar and Spice when he saw Henderson lying on the floor and being repeatedly punched and kicked in the face.

He claimed that one of those assaulting Henderson was Gordon Graham's son Dean.

Mr Simpson and friends, who were on a pool team night out with Henderson, went to his aid.

"During the fight there were threats made. Both sides made threats to kill. I definitely said to the Grahams I would kill them. I also heard others say that," Mr Simpson said.

"It was said in the heat of the moment and I did not mean it. I can't say who else threatened to kill them or vice versa."

Henderson denies all the charges against him and has lodged special defences of alibi and incrimination.