A RENFREW man has appeared in court charged with taking part in an attack on an elderly woman that is said to have been linked to organised crime.

James Quinn, 21, along with co-accused Ian Donnelly, 23, is alleged to have assaulted 69-year-old Janette Connell in the Milton area of Glasgow in January this year.

The pair are said to have struck Miss Connell with a baton to her severe injury at the property in Castlebay Street.

Prosecutors claim the alleged attack was aggravated by a connection with "serious organised crime.”

No plea was made by either of the accused during private hearings at Glasgow Sheriff Court today.

Quinn was granted bail, while Donnelly, of no fixed abode, was remanded in custody by Sheriff Paul Reid pending further examination.

Read all the latest from Renfrewshire and beyond

******************

Scotland is in lockdown. Shops are closing and newspaper sales are falling fast. We're not exaggerating when we say the future of local newspapers and the vital service we have provided for many years is under threat.

Please consider supporting The Gazette in whatever way you can - by paying just 90p for a copy of the newspaper when you're shopping for essential supplies for yourself and others or by subscribing to our e-edition here.