A man who stabbed his cousin's partner following a family row at a party was facing life in prison on Thursday.

Philip Graham knifed Mark Johnston (pictured) twice following a fight in Edinburgh's New Town in June. Mr Johnston collapsed in front of his children and later died as a result of his wounds.

Today, 23 year old Graham admitted a murder charge at the High Court in Glasgow.

The court heard the men were with other family members at Mr Johnston's flat in Edinburgh's Haddington Place following an engagement party on June 13th.

A disagreement broke out between Mr Johnston and another member of the Graham family, which resulted in all the men being asked to leave the flat.

Later that evening, Graham decided to return to the property with his brother to give Mr Johnston a "battering".

A short fight ensued and Graham was seen to stand close to Mr Johnston. Andrew Miller, prosecuting, said this was where the "fatal assault" took place although no one actually witnessed it.

Mr Miller went on: "The accused then ran to a jeep and was heard to say: 'I have just plugged him twice'."

Mr Johnston managed to climb the stairs to his flat despite bleeding heavily, but then collapsed in front of the children inside.

Graham was later spotted in the getaway car by a passing police officer and a knife was seen being thrown from a passenger window. He was eventually detained and initially charged with attempted murder.

Mr Johnston suffered two stab wounds to his chest and one to his upper thigh. An operation to repair a hole in the heart area initially appeared successful, but it became apparent he had suffered severe brain damage as a result of blood loss and he was pronouced dead later that day.

The murder weapon û a steel kitchen knife - was later recovered and found to be blood stained.

On Thursday, Graham of West Pilton Terrace, Edinburgh, was remanded in custody and his case was adjourned to the High Court in Edinburgh next month. His own relatives reacted angrily as he was lead to the cells branding him "a beast".

In a statement following his death, Mr Johnston's family said: "Mark was the second eldest of four children and his death has been devastating to us all.

"He was a loving father, partner, son, brother and uncle. Like any young man, Mark loved football, and was a keen fan.

"His loss in such tragic and sudden circumstances has been a shock to us all, but we hold in our hearts the happy memories of such a loving, family man."