Man murdered 27-year-old after victim punched his younger brother

A man is facing a life sentence after stabbing a 27-year-old to death in an apparent revenge attack in Glasgow.

Kevin Shanley stabbed Brian Gough, 27, to death in the doorway of a shop in Possilpark on May 18, 2024.

The 37-year-old killer targeted Mr Gough after the victim had punched his younger brother Kyle Shanley, 28, moments earlier.

Kevin now faces a life sentence after he was found guilty of murder on Friday.

The trial at the High Court in Glasgow largely focused on CCTV footage of the crime, which was played to jurors.

The brothers were initially captured standing in the area’s Saracen Street.

One of them waved over to Mr Gough’s girlfriend, who crossed the road and hugged each of the siblings.

The victim – who was 6ft 6in and weighed 20 stone – was also with her.

The court heard there was “none of the hallmarks of hostility” between any of them initially.

It was not explained why, but Mr Gough soon went on to punch Kyle Shanley.

This was said to have taken him by “surprise”.

Kyle then contacted his brother while Mr Gough and his girlfriend walked off into the nearby Saracen Store.

In his closing speech to jurors, prosecutor Colin Edward said the siblings went on to leave a close in that street “clearly looking” for Mr Gough.

Kyle was initially described as “swiping” at the victim with a knife after he left the shop.

Mr Gough pushed Kyle away as the man’s girlfriend also tried to step in.

Mr Gough went back into the doorway of the shop and Kevin Shanley had, by this time, took the knife from his brother and went after the victim.

The CCTV then captured the killer “lunging” at him before running off.

Footage from inside the Saracen Store saw Mr Gough initially slumped at the counter before collapsing on the ground, his T-shirt covered in blood.

He never recovered, having been struck in the heart. Mr Gough passed away the next day in hospital.

Advocate depute Mr Edward had urged jurors to convict both brothers of the killing.

He said Kevin was the one who had stabbed Mr Gough, but that Kyle had acted “in concert” with his older sibling in that he had “participated in a plan to use serious violence” that day.

Kyle was acquitted of the murder and instead found guilty of the heavily reduced charge of assaulting Mr Gough by attempting to strike him with a knife.

Judge Douglas Brown continued Kevin Shanley’s remand as sentencing was adjourned for reports.

He had a couple of minor previous convictions for cannabis possession.

Kyle had also been in custody since being charged in 2024. He was bailed and will return to the dock with his brother in March.

After the killing, Mr Gough was described by those who knew him as “popular” and “a nice big guy”.

One message at the scene stated: “A life too short, a grieving too long”.