A SHERIFF last week issued a warrant for the arrest of man accused of beating someone unconscious with a child's scooter.

Daniel Beattie is said to have been acting with others in the alleged assault, and to have endangered the life of alleged victim.

Beattie, 29, faces a single charge on indictment, which accuses him of repeatedly kicking and punching Mr Johnston on the head before repeatedly striking him on the body with the two-wheeler, rendering him unconscious.

Mr Johnston is said to have been severely injured in the alleged incident, in Ash Grove, Alloa, on April 8 this year.

Beattie, of Alloa, failed to appear to answer the charge at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Wednesday.

His solicitor, Dougal Grant, said he could offer no explanation for his client's absence.

Sheriff John Mundy asked: "Were there any suspicious he mightn't turn up?"

Prosecutor Samantha Brown replied: "I think I had certain suspicious."

Sheriff Mundy said: "Well, that's that, then. Warrant granted."