A MAN has made his first public court appearance charged with the murder of gangland figure Kevin 'Gerbil" Carroll.

William Paterson is alleged to have been involved in gunning down Carroll outside the Asda store in Robroyston, Glasgow, on January 13, 2010.

The 35-year-old is also accused of fleeing the country for Spain 10 days after the shooting.

Mr Paterson faced the allegations during a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday.

It is claimed - while masked and acting with others - he repeatedly discharged loaded handguns at 29-year-old Carroll, shooting him on the head and body.

Mr Paterson is also accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

The indictment claims that on January 23, 2010 he boarded a flight from Glasgow to Malaga "to avoid arrest, prosecution and conviction".

Mr Paterson further faces a number of firearms charges, as well as another accusation of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

He is also said to have been involved in the reset of a car or an alternative accusation of being in the vehicle knowing it had been taken without consent.

Mr Paterson's lawyer Des Finnieston pled not guilty on his behalf and said he was not ready for a trial to be fixed.

Mr Finnieston added: "This is a lengthy case in terms of the productions and witnesses."

Judge Lord Burns set a further hearing due to take place next month.