Man stamped childhood friend to death 'after comment about mum'

A killer has been jailed for life after murdering a man who allegedly made a comment about his mother.

Jordan Moore brutally kicked and stamped Iain Kennedy, 32, to death while flouting a curfew to keep him at home at night.

The 27-year-old was later described as “laughing” following the crime at Mr Kennedy’s flat in Larkhall, Lanarkshire on January 25 this year.

Moore – who already had convictions for violence and weapons – admitted to a murder charge on Tuesday.

Lord Scott sentenced him to a minimum 16 years at the High Court in Glasgow.

The court heard Moore and Mr Kennedy had known each since childhood and had got back in touch via Facebook shortly before the murder.

The pair along with a mutual friend were at Mr Kennedy’s home that night.

The friend later left, leaving Mr Kennedy and Moore still there.

Around that time, the victim contacted his cousin via a video call.

Prosecutor Ruaraidh Ferguson told the court: “When he answered, he could see an altercation was taking place between Moore and Mr Kennedy.

“Mr Kennedy was distressed. [His cousin] had concerns for his welfare so contacted police via 999.”

The cousin and his brother headed to the flat.

But, Mr Ferguson explained: “In the time that Moore and Mr Kennedy were alone, the accused assaulted him in the living room.

“He repeatedly kicked and stamped on his head, neck and body.

“Moore also compressed his neck and repeatedly struck him on the face and body with a knife.”

Mr Kennedy’s cousin turned up and initially looked through the living room window.

Moore was sitting on a sofa clutching a knife with a stricken Mr Kennedy lying on the floor.

Asked what he had done to the victim, Moore stated: “He is away”.

Emergency services soon arrived at the scene, where Mr Ferguson said “they found Moore on a sofa, laughing and covered in blood”.

Mr Ferguson continued: “Iain Kennedy was on his back on the floor, propped up against a chair. He was completely unresponsive.”

He was initially found to have significant injuries to his face.

Mr Ferguson said: “Police interacted with Moore – things said by him suggested that he had attacked Mr Kennedy due to a remark made about his mother.”

Moore apparently stated to Mr Kennedy: “You should not have said that about my mum”.

Moore then stated at one stage: “I killed someone. Is he dead? What about the dead c***? Ha, ha.”

The court heard Mr Kennedy’s injuries included a “catastrophic” skull fracture and brain damage.

He died in hospital on January 26.

Moore had been given bail at Livingston Sheriff Court just 11 days before the murder in connection with drugs charges.

A condition was a curfew to stay at home between 7pm to 7am each night.

Keith Stewart KC, defending, said the death of Moore’s young son in June 2024 had a “calamitous and destabilizing” effect on him.

But, the advocate added that was no excuse for what he then did to Mr Kennedy.

Lord Scott said a minimum jail term would have been 18 and a half years, but for the guilty plea.

He stated the attack was a “gross over-reaction” to any comment which may have been made.

The judge stated he had read an emotional victim impact statement from one of Mr Kennedy’s sisters.

Sentencing, he told Moore: “She describes the significant impact on her and the family at the loss.

“She suffers from severe anxiety and depression. She worries about Iain Kennedy’s final moments spent in pain and fear.

“She has said the loss has left her feeling broken and incomplete.

“She stated her children have lost their ‘fun uncle’ and Christmas this year – the first without him – will be difficult for the whole family as it will no doubt be for years to come.”

Moore showed no emotion as he was led handcuffed back to the cells.