A plumber has told a murder trial he saw a small fire in a close before the death of a man in Aberdeenshire.

Jackie Senic, 38, was giving evidence at the trial of Barry Henderson, 42, who denies murdering 43-year-old Gordon Graham in Fraserburgh.

He also denies attempting to murder his wife Anne Graham by torching their home on May 3, 1998.

Mr Senic told the High Court in Glasgow: "I saw something on fire in the close. It was only small with flames about 2ft to 3ft high."

He told the jury the fire appeared to be in front of a wheelie bin but the bin was not on fire.

Mr Senic said that he drove round in a circle and back to the High Street, which took between 90 seconds and two minutes.

By the time he returned he told prosecutor Jim Keegan QC the close was well ablaze.

He said: "I parked on the opposite side of the street. And saw the fire had spread quickly. I don't know if anyone would have been able to get down or up the stairs. "

Defence QC Brian McConnachie asked Mr Senic: "What did you see the second time?"

He replied: "It was a big fire. It was a lot larger than it was the first time. The stairway was full of fire."

Mr Senic was then asked if he could tell where the fire was situated in the close and said: "It seemed to be right at the back.

"The whole hallway was on fire and there were flames."

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

The trial before Lord Ericht continues.