STV NewsA former soldier told his mum that he killed a man in his home, a murder trial heard on Wednesday.
Daniel Langman, 47, allegedly stated to Jennifer Goodwin, 67, that he “did something stupid” on May 16, 2021.
Langman and co-accused Anthony McGovern, 36, allegedly killed Anthony “Tony” Collins at a flat in Port Glasgow, Inverclyde on May 16, 2021.
Prosecutors claim the 28-year-old was hit with a guitar, iron, metal poles, a plastic tube as well as a screwdriver on the head and body.
Mr Collins – who a court heard was Langman’s daughter Chloe’s partner – is said to have suffered other “sharp and blunt force trauma”.
The murder charge then states Langman and McGovern wrapped a cable around his neck, tightened it with a metal pole and strangled Mr Collins.
The High Court in Glasgow heard Langman served in Northern Ireland in the early 1990s before marrying wife Hayley.
The pair moved from Southend to Scotland from where Chloe was staying with her now ex-partner Charlie Malone with whom they have a child together.
Miss Goodwin stated that she received a phone call from Langman on May 16, 2021.
The witness said her son was upset and crying.
She said: “He told me that he did something stupid.
“He said he went home and a man was in his flat and they got into a fight and he thought things went too far.
“It was all a shock. He told me he was going to hand himself into the police station.”
Prosecutor Leigh Lawrie asked Miss Goodwin if Langman told her why he was going to hand himself in.
She replied: “I can’t remember if he said he thought he might have killed him or not, that’s why he was going to hand himself in.”
Miss Lawrie: “Is that what he said?”
Miss Goodwin: “He might have, yes I think he did.”
Donald Findlay KC, defending Langman, asked if she had seen her son in a state of stress that she had never encountered before.
Miss Goodwin replied: “I have never seen him like that before.”
Mr Findlay: “This was someone who fought for Queen and country at dangerous times in the army?”
Miss Goodwin responded: “Yes.”
Mr Malone earlier told jurors that Langman visited him around 6am on May 16, 2021.
He stated that Langman had tea with him and was told that he got into a fight with someone at his home.
Mr Malone stated that he visited Langman’s home on his own and found a man who “looked dead” wrapped in a red blanket.
The witness claimed that Langman had asked to wash his clothes and dried them in the meantime.
Mr Malone told jurors that he returned home and asked Langman what happened to the man.
His police statement was read to the court.
It said: “[Daniel] said he found a man w***ing in his daughter’s bed and he lost the plot with him.
“He said that Tony and him f***ed him up and that Tony p***ed on him and I’m not sure if he was alive.
“Daniel said he strangled him and heard him take his last breath.”
Mr Findlay asked Mr Malone if Langman told him who it was he attacked.
He replied: “No.”
The advocate also suggested to Mr Malone that it was a “surreal moment” which the witness agreed.
Mr Collins’ neighbour Demi Madden also told jurors that there was an occasion in which he argued with Langman.
Her police statement said: “Daniel lifted his leg as if to kick Tony.
“As Tony left, Daniel said to me that if Tony didn’t keep away from Chloe, he would end up killing him.
“I thought it was a throwaway comment.”
Langman and McGovern also each face separate accusations of attempting to defeat the ends of justice in Greenock, Inverclyde and Dunoon, Argyll and Bute.
The trial continues before Judge Lord Fairley.
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