A MAN appeared in court today charged with murdering a Renfrew dad by kicking and stamping him to death in the street.

Jamie Anderson, 36, is accused of battering Paul Mathieson so severely in January this year that he suffered a heart attack and died.

Prosecutors claim Anderson, of Paisley, murdered 37-year-old Mr Mathieson by attacking him in Houston Street, near the junction with Wilson Street, in Renfrew, on Sunday, January 14.

It is claimed he punched Mr Mathieson, causing him to fall to the ground, before raining kicks, punches and stamps on his head, leading to his death.

Mr Mathieson was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, in Glasgow, but died a week later after his injuries led to him having a heart attack.

An investigation was launched and, during the four-month probe, suspicion fell on Anderson.

He was arrested and held in police custody until being led into the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court in handcuffs today to face a single charge.

Anderson made no plea during the short hearing, where he was represented by defence solicitor David Nicholson, a partner in law firm McCusker, McElroy and Gallanagh.

He was remanded in custody by Sheriff Susan Sinclair, who continued the case for prosecutors to investigate further.

No future court dates have been set but Anderson is expected to make his second appearance in the dock next week to be fully committed for trial.

A 26-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman were previously arrested in connection with Mr Mathieson's death but were released pending further enquiries.