A JUDGE has told jurors at the start of the trial of a man for a murder allegedly committed 18 years ago that they must deliver a verdict “based on the evidence” they hear in court.

Ronnie Coulter, 48, from Wishaw, denies killing 32-year-old Surjit Singh Chhokar in Overtown, North Lanarkshire.

He is alleged to have killed Mr Chhokar on November 4, 1998 by punching him, hitting him with a wooden baton and stabbing him.

He has lodged a special defence of incrimination to the murder charge, blaming Andrew Coulter and David Montgomery.

With Mr Chhokar’s mother and Gurdev Kaur sister Manjit Sangha and the family lawyer Aamer Anwar looking on at the High Court in Glasgow, judge Lord Matthews told the jury: “Your verdict must be based on the evidence you hear in court.” 

Prosecutors claim that Coulter was acting with two other men, Andrew  Coulter and David Montgomery, at the time of the alleged attack.

The charge includes allegations that Mr Chhokar was punched and had his arms grabbed to prevent him from defending himself.

He is then said to have been hit with a wooden baton before he was repeatedly struck with a knife and killed.

It is further alleged that Coulter did previously “evince malice and ill-will” towards Mr Chhokar.

Coulter is also accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice on November 4 and 5, 1998 at waste ground between Overton and Gowkthrapple, all Wishaw.

It is claimed he got another person to hide clothes worn during the alleged murder and destroyed, disposed of or concealed a knife.

Coulter is further accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice. He is also charged with forging the signature of Mr Chhokar to help cash a giro cheque for £100.70 and of breaking into Mr Chhokar’s home in Wishaw and stealing a cooker with Andrew Coulter. 

Coulter, who is represented by Donald Findlay, QC, denies all the charges against him. The trial before judge Lord Matthews continues. It is expected to last five weeks.