A Scot has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting his mother and stepfather at their home in the US.

Derek Connell, 29, is facing the death penalty after being accused of killing Scots mum Kim Higginbotham and her American husband Christopher in Bakersfield, California.

The couple were found dead at their family home on April 30 by police officers who were called to the scene.

Mr Connell, originally from Glasgow, is also alleged to have taken a video of their dead bodies on his mobile phone to send to a relative, according to local news service ABC 23.

Mrs Higginbotham, who is originally from Glasgow, was a kindergarten teacher who worked in Bakersfield for around 15 years.

A Kern County Superior Court judge ruled there is sufficient evidence to try Mr Connell on both charges during preliminary hearings which concluded this week.

Police are understood to have found a haul of 14 guns, including assault rifles, in the property, as well as bleach in his car.

No bail was set and Mr Connell is expected to appear in court again on August 10.

Derek Connell served in the US Army from 2005 to 2008 before being discharged due to an incident involving alcohol.

Upon returning to the US, he worked in oil fields in Colorado and Texas.