A former soldier killed a dad-of-one by stabbing him through the heart in a row over a £40 debt, a court was told today.
Liam Donnelly, 26, from Plains, Airdrie, was originally charged with murdering Philip McMillan – known as Phil – at Sunnyside Crescent, Holytown Lanarkshire, on February 22.
But, at the dad-of-one Donnelly's plea of guilty to the lesser charge of culpable homicide under provocation was accepted by the Crown.
Prosecutor Graeme Jessop said: “On February 15 Phil McMillan supplied a quantity of diazepam tablets to Liam Donnelly, his girlfriend Kayleigh McCallum and their friend Liam Powell on credit.
“It appeared Mr McMillan owed money to others and was anxious to obtain funds.”
The court heard that on the evening of February 21 Mr McMillan sent threatening texts to Ms McCallum demanding £40 and apparently vandalised her home.
He then called her and when Donnelly grabbed the phone and spoke to McMillan a heated argument broke out.
Donnelly called a taxi around 5.30am and along with two friends Ryan Downie and Alan Dunion went to Mr McMillan's home at Sunnyside Crescent.
Donnelly, who was armed with a knife, kicked at Mr McMillan's door. Mr McMillan, who was inside with his friend Billy Passmore, was heard to say: “Is that all you've got? A blade,” and then shouted to Mr Passmore: “Billy, go get a kitchen knife.”
Mr McMillan made his way out into the street, while his friend fetched knives from the house.
The court heard that Mr McMillan pulled a piece of wood off a fence and began swinging it at Donnelly, Downie and Dunion.
Minutes later Mr McMillan slashed Dunion on the left side of his face with a knife.
At this point Donnelly stabbed Mr McMillan though the heart causing massive internal bleeding.
Mr McMillan was pronounced dead at 6.55am at Wishaw General Hospital.
The knife which inflicted the fatal injury has never been recovered.
The court heard that Donnelly suffered injuries to his fingers in the incident which were consistent with being struck by a wooden baton.
Dunion had a six-inch slash to his face and needed 15 sutures to close the wound.
Downie, 24. and Dunion, 24, both from Coatbridge, were also charged with the murder of Mr McMillan, but their pleas of not guilty were accepted by the Crown.
Dunion admitted having a knife in his possession at Sunnyside Crecent and Monklands Hospital and Downie, a first offender, admitted having the knife in his possession in the hospital after Dunion handed it to him there.
Judge Lady Rae deferred sentence on all three accused until January next year for background reports.
Defence QC Brian McConnachie, representing Donnelly, said: “The defence is having a psychiatric report prepared. Mr Donnelly potentially has post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of him serving in the forces.”
Donnelly and Dunion were remanded in custody and Downie was granted bail.
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