Police ScotlandA man who killed an amateur footballer in a late-night attack has been jailed.
Leon Beagan, 29, lashed out at Andrew Lees, 27, known as Panda, outside Renfrew Leisure Centre on November 5, 2023.
The pair initially became physical with each other before Beagan threw a punch, which ruptured an artery in Mr Lees’ neck.
The victim later died in the hospital from his injury.
Beagan, who also uses the name Gibson, was found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow of culpable homicide.
Judge Douglas Brown said: “Understandably, given the conviction, there will be a substantial sentence of imprisonment.
“Bail has been withdrawn, and you will be remanded in custody.”
The court heard that Mr Lees played at centre-back for his Saturday morning team.
He had been on the bench for a match on November 4 before he went to the local pub, Davidson’s Bar, with a friend.
The witness told jurors in his evidence that Mr Lees was like a “big brother” and had known him all his life.
Prosecutor William Frain-Bell asked the witness to describe Mr Lees’ stature.
He replied: “I don’t want to sound cheeky, but he was a bit heavy.
“He had a heart of gold and was a big, friendly giant.”
The witness told jurors that the pair spent the day together, which ended with them going back to Davidson’s Bar.
The witness left at 11.30pm, but Mr Lees stayed out and was eventually in the company of Beagan’s half-sister.
Jurors watched CCTV of the pair leaving the pub in the early hours of the morning.
The pair were seen to be unsteady on their feet after 30 minutes.
Other footage showed Leon Beagan heading towards the town centre.
The trio eventually met in the car park of Renfrew Sports Centre.
Mr Frain-Bell told jurors in his closing speech: “It is not clear as to what the problem was between [the woman], Andrew Lees and Leon Beagan.
“Things seemed to have kicked off when they came across each other.”
Further video and audio CCTV was played to the court, which showed the men squaring up to each other.
Mr Lees was also seen to “aim a kick” at Leon Beagan.
On one bit of audio footage, noise can be heard before the voice of Mr Lees said: “F***ing do that for?”
Mr Frain-Bell said: “Leon Beagan accepts that he punched Andrew Lees.
“He told you that Panda was swinging a punch at him, but he missed.
“However, this is not what Beagan told his girlfriend when he got back to her flat.
“She said that Mr Lees pushed Mr Beagan, Mr Beagan pushed him back and then punched him.
“There was no mention of a punch by Andrew Lees.”
Mr Lees was taken to hospital at 3.10am on November 5, where he was given CPR but pronounced dead at 3.18am.
It was stated that Mr Lees died from a “traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage.”
The sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month.
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