A MAN has appeared in court charged with trying to murder another man by firing a shotgun at him as part of a gangland feud.

Darren Lethorn is said to have attempted to kill Gary McConville in a Renfrewshire car park last Thursday night.

He is also alleged to have carried out a life-threatening attack on Derek Bell the same evening.

A major police probe was launched after reports of gunfire in Cardon Square, Renfrew, shortly after 8pm last Thursday.

During the investigation, suspicion fell on 33-year-old Lethorn, of Thornliebank, East Renfrewshire, and he was arrested at the weekend.

He was held in police custody overnight before appearing in the dock at Paisley Sheriff Court yesterday afternoon to face two charges – attempted murder and assault.

Prosecutors claim that, in a car park at Cardon Square, he drove a white Audi RS3 car at Mr McConville and then tried to murder him by firing a gun at him.

The charge also states the alleged offence "was aggravated by a connection with serious organised crime," as per Section 29 of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010.

The assault charge where Bell is the alleged victim states that Lethorn "did discharge said firearm at him, to the danger of his life."

Lethorn was represented by defence lawyer Gordon Nichol, of law firm McCusker, McElroy and Gallanagh, during his behind-closed-doors hearing in court.

He made no plea to the charges and was remanded in custody as the case against him was continued for prosecutors to investigate further.

No future court dates have been set but Lethorn is expected to make a second appearance in connection with the case next week.

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