'Savages' recorded themselves torturing and slashing victims

Two men who recorded themselves torturing and slashing two terrified victims have been jailed.

George Murray, 33, and Scott McClymont, 22, turned on Ryan Murray, 23, and a 15-year-old boy at a flat in Glasgow’s Springburn days after Christmas last year.

Mobile phone footage of the attack was shown at the High Court in Glasgow.

The crime at Mr Murray’s home was so gruesome blood seeped down into the flat below.

The pair pleaded guilty to attempting to murder Mr Murray and assaulting the boy to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and to the danger of his life.

Murray was locked up for six years and eight months while McClymont received six years.

Both men were also given a two-year extended sentence.

During sentencing on Friday, Judge Lord Mulholland said: “I said on the day of the conviction that you behaved like savages.

“I maintain what I said then – you behaved like savages.

“The footage showed you striking the victims with a large knife to the head and body while they were badly hurt and bleeding profusely.

“They were pleading for you to stop and spare them more violence and their pleas fell on deaf ears.

“How you could do that to human beings disgusts me.

“You only stopped because the police were contacted by a downstairs neighbour who saw blood seep from her ceiling.

“The police forced open the door and rescued the victims.

“These were crimes of the uppermost gravity and you will pay the price for what you did.”

During the nine-minute clip, both victims begged for mercy as they were repeatedly “chopped” on the head and body with blades.

One of the attackers taunted: “Dance for me, dance for me.”

The court heard how Murray and McClymont struck after mistakenly believing they had been “set up” at the flat last December 28.

There was initially a scuffle, with both shouting: “How do people know we are here?”

Murray, of the city’s Maryhill, and McClymont, of Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, then each armed themselves with a knife.

The court heard Mr Murray suffered 15 head wounds, causing skull and nose fractures. He also had hand and wrist injuries.

The 15-year-old needed 28 staples for multiple scalp wounds. His knee and arm were also badly hurt following his ordeal.

The hearing was told Murray and McClymont already had convictions for violence.

Brian Fitzpatrick, defending Murray, told the sentencing: “From watching the footage, he finds it difficult to believe he could act that way and accepts full responsibility for his behaviour.”

Euan Dow, defending McClymont, added: “On showing him the footage, he was appalled, shocked, ashamed and embarrassed by his conduct.”

McClymont will begin his latest jail term after he completes 100 days of a previous sentence.