THE uncle of former Hearts and Dundee United footballer Ryan McGowan has told a jury that the man allegedly murdered by the footballer’s father was a “coward, a deserter and a rapist”.

Bernard McGowan, 63, giving evidence at the High Court in Edinburgh, said there was long-standing bad feeling between Owen Brannigan and his family, including his brother James.

James McGowan is on trial accused of Mr Brannigan’s murder at a house in Coatbridge in November 1999.

Bernard McGowan told prosecution lawyer Alex Prentice QC yesterday that he had known Mr Brannigan for many years.

Mr Prentice asked Mr McGowan: “Did you know Owen Brannigan?”

Mr McGowan, of Coatbridge, replied: “He’s a coward, a deserter and a rapist. That’s all I know about him.”

Mr Prentice then asked: “You did not like him?”

The joiner replied: “No.”

Mr McGowan, of Coatbridge, said James emigrated to Australia in 1980 but returned to attend their mother’s funeral on November 22, 1999.

Bernard McGowan said that his brother had come back to Scotland from his Australian home for a holiday earlier in the same year.

He added: “He would turn up and he wouldn’t tell you.”

James McGowan denies murdering Mr Brannigan and assaulting a man at a social club in Coatbridge days earlier in November 1999. His solicitor advocate has lodged a special defence of incrimination, which states Thomas Stewart, who is now dead, was responsible for the alleged murder.

The trial, which is being heard before judge Lady Scott, continues.