A MAN due to stand trial for murder had a bail application refused by a judge.

Darren Owen, 23, and three others are alleged to have gone on a seven-month crime spree.

Owen is accused of killing Rafal Michal Lyko, 36, in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, in February 2019.

Owen and co-accused Thomas Wilson, 26, allegedly shot Mr Lyko on the head.

The Polish international's body is said to have been found in a burned-out car.

Barry Harvey and Thomas Guthrie are also charged with two kill bids.

It’s claimed Harvey, 35, killed gym boss Gary More, 32, by shooting him in Airdrie in September 2018, and torched a car in a bid to dodge justice.

He’s also accused of a 2018 attempted murder in Glasgow of lawyer Joe Shields — who died in February at 68 in unrelated circumstances.

He is accused of striking Mr Shields “on the head and body with a knife or similar instrument to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and to the danger of his life”.

Harvey faces a further claim that he tried to murder Scott Bennett, 42, by shooting him in December 2018.

It’s alleged Harvey, Guthrie and Owen blasted him in the head in a vet’s car park in East Kilbride.

Prosecutors also allege that Harvey dealt cocaine, assaulted Guthrie with a bottle and hammer and got a driving licence by fraud.

Guthrie, 27, is also accused of involvement in murder bids on Mr Shields and Mr Bennett.

The men face a total of 15 charges at a trial in November this year.

Owen appeared virtually on July 12 at the High Court in Glasgow requesting bail before the trial.

Graeme Brown, defending, told the court there has been a material change in circumstances.

Mr Brown stated that his client would be remanded for the equivalent of one year and five-and-a-half months before the trial.

He said: "This is more significant because of his age and he has two young children."

The lawyer also cited concerns of Owen's mental health.

He stated that Owen's cousin - his former guardian - was concerned about his presentation and informed the prison.

Mr Brown added: "On this occasion, nothing has been done - he will be in the system somewhere but he hasn't been seen by anyone."

Prosecutor Leanne McQuillan asked the judge to refuse Owen bail.

She stated that there was insufficient information in the application to allow for bail to be granted.

Judge Andrew Miller refused the motion for bail agreeing that there was not enough information to prove a material change in circumstances.

He said: "This is not a case in which it could be said that any custodial sentence in the event of a conviction will be swallowed up by a period on remand.

"Having regard to the gravity of the charges against Mr Owen, the length and period of the remand does not give rise to a material change in circumstances or amount to material information with regards to bail."