A MAN appeared in court today charged with murdering a neighbour who may have lain dead in his home for up to two weeks.

Adrian Atkinson, 48, is alleged to have murdered 46-year-old Stephen Wallace, of Williamsburgh Court, Paisley, sometime between February 18 and March 4 this year.

Prosecutors claim that Atkinson repeatedly struck Mr Wallace – who lived on the same floor as him – on the head and body with an unspecified "sharp implement."

Police launched an investigation after Mr Wallace's body was found shortly before 11am on March 4.

During the probe, suspicion fell on Atkinson and he was arrested and held in police custody at Glasgow's Helen Street police station for three nights.

He appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court this afternoon to face a single charge of murder.

Atkinson was represented by defence solicitor Kevin Brady, of law firm Renfrew Defence Lawyers, during the short hearing and made no plea to the charge.

Sheriff Kevin Duffy continued the case for prosecutors to investigate further and remanded Atkinson in custody.

No future court dates have been set but Atkinson is set to go on trial in due course.