Police ScotlandA killer has admitted murdering a man whose body was then dumped in a bin and set on fire.
Jude McPhie attacked William Leiper, 31, at a house in Hartstone Road, Pollok, Glasgow between August 2 and 3, 2021.
Prosecutors said he repeatedly inflicted blunt force trauma to Mr Leiper’s head by means unknown.
McPhie was in the dock on Monday at the High Court in Glasgow on the day of his 42nd birthday.
He had been due to stand trial this week, but, via his KC Brian McConnachie, pled guilty to murdering Mr Leiper.
Co-accused Christopher O’Reilly, 27, also appeared on Monday.
His not guilty plea to the murder accusation was accepted.
But, his KC Thomas Ross said he was admitting to a separate charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice after the killing.
The indictment stated that O’Reilly – along with others – bought bleach and lighter fluid to destroy evidence.
Attempts were made to clean blood at the house with clothes and a hammer burned in a garden. Part of a bloodstained mattress was also ditched.
The body of Mr Leiper is then said to have been removed from the murder scene and transported in a wheelie bin to nearby Househill Park in Pollok, where it was torched.
The human remains were discovered on the morning of August 4, 2021 and a major police probe launched.
McPhie also pled guilty to attempting to defeat the ends of justice, but the claims he helped move the body and set it alight were deleted.
William Feely, 50, faced that same charge, but had not been accused of being involved in the murder.
His not guilty plea was also accepted and he was allowed to leave the dock.
Prosecutor Derick Nelson said further information about the crimes will be heard at a later hearing.
Mr Nelson also told the court: “Those pleas are acceptable to the Crown.
“In respect of (McPhie and O’Reilly), I move for sentence and tender schedules of (previous) convictions.”
Lord Young adjourned the case and remanded both McPhie and O’Reilly in custody.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
