A man accused of murdering a restaurant owner 39 years ago was detained as he boarded a flight to Pakistan.

Riasat Khan, 63, was held by police at Birmingham Airport in May 2016 on a warrant issued in 1978.

The procurator fiscal in Aberdeen obtained the legal order after the death of businessman Kazi Ahmad.

At the time of his death, Mr Ahmad was one of four partners in the Raj Dulal Restaurant on Dee Street.

He was described in a legal statement read to a jury on Wednesday afternoon as a gambler who regularly visited bookmakers and a casino in Aberdeen.

At the time of his death, a witness told police he was a "big punter" who carried large sums of money.

Khan, of Clare Gardens, Cardiff, appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh on Wednesday.

He denies murdering Mr Ahmad on October 13, 1978.

His lawyers claim he acted in self-defence after being attacked by Mr Ahmad, with whom he worked at the Raj Dulal.

A post-mortem carried out on Mr Ahmad concluded he died from stab wounds to the neck and chest. His right lung was also punctured in two places.

Prosecutors claim Khan stole a kitchen knife from the Raj Dulal on October 12 or 13, 1978.

They allege that on October 13, in their shared flat on Rosemount Viaduct, Aberdeen, Khan assaulted Mr Ahmad and tied his wrists behind his back.

He allegedly covered Mr Ahmad's head, struck him repeatedly with a knife and robbed him.

Khan, who is represented by advocate Gary Allan QC, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.