THE family of the man who died following an alleged assault in Stirling last week have blasted the decision to release two men charged with his death.

Craig Logie died from injuries sustained following an incident in Friars Street early on Friday morning.

And just hours after receiving the news of his passing, his grieving family were informed that the two men charged over the incident were released from custody.

Shaun McCarthy (27) and Jamie Spendiff (26) appeared at Stirling Sheriff Court on Monday (10 August) charged with culpable homicide.

Spendiff also faces another charge of assault to severe injury after a 55-year-old man suffered a “serious leg injury” during the incident.

Both men were admitted to bail, sparking outrage from Mr Logie’s grieving family.

One relative took to Facebook and said: “Can’t believe [they] got bail. They don’t deserve to go back to their families when my brother can’t. They should be locked up, not playing happy families.” As with all first appearances of accused in serious matters, Monday’s hearing was heard in private with no members of the public or press allowed to observe.

The decision to allow bail is made by the presiding sheriff who has a “duty to release the accused unless there are good reasons for not doing so”.

When the defence applies for bail, prosecutors from the Crown Office will either not oppose the request or make submissions which outline their opposition.

The Crown Office said they would not comment on individual cases and would not say whether or not bail was opposed in this instance.

In one previous case where an accused person charged with a serious crime was admitted to bail the then justice minister Kenny MacAskill said: “When you are charged with the serious offence of murder or culpable homicide you should not receive bail.” However, in response to a question by the Advertiser, the Scottish Government distanced themselves from the decision-making process of the courts.

A spokesperson said: “Decisions about whether to grant bail in any individual case are a matter for the court which is rightly independent of government.”