A violent thug murdered a man in broad daylight – just weeks after being freed from prison.
Gerard McGinlay, 39, brutally knifed Peter McElroy during the attack in Airdrie on April 12 last year.
A passing taxi driver rushed to help the 45-year-old victim, but tragically he never survived.
McGinlay was today convicted of the lockdown murder following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
Prosecutor Greg Farrell then revealed to jurors the killer had a history of violence including assaults and possession of an offensive weapon.
McGinlay had been freed from his last prison stint on March 20 – just three weeks before the murder.
He faces life in prison when he returns to the dock in September for sentencing.
Cabbie Joseph Dalziel told the trial how he had been walking home from a shift around 4pm when he could hear shouting near Bell Street.
He then spotted five men including McGinlay and Mr McElroy.
The witness said Mr McElroy was trying to "walk away".
Mr Dalziel recalled McGinlay throwing what he thought were punches at the victim, but then noticed a knife.
He told jurors: "I saw the two swipes...I then heard: 'Ah, you have stabbed me'."
McGinlay was said to have replied: "There you go...lying again."
The court heard the thug and others then "casually" walked off leaving a stricken Mr McElroy.
Mr Dalziel immediately raced over to the blood-soaked victim and shouted for help.
He told the trial: "I was saying to him, 'Be still, you are going to be alright'.
"However, he had a worried look in his eye. He never said or whispered anything."
The taxi driver stayed with him until mercy crews arrived.
But, the court heard Mr McElroy effectively "died in front of" Mr Dalziel.
Prosecutor Mr Farrell asked the witness: "You had gone and done your best to assist the man?"
Mr Dalziel: "Correct."
McGinlay had denied the murder charge during the trial.
Lord Matthews adjourned the case for reports until September 14.
Following the trial, Detective Inspector Frank Travers, of Police Scotland Major Investigations Team, said: “Peter McElroy’s life was tragically and needlessly cut short by the actions of Gerard McGinlay.
“He has never shown any remorse for what he did but he will now face the consequences following this verdict.
“My thoughts are very much with Peter McElroy’s family at the this time and, while nothing can change what happened, I hope this verdict provides some degree of closure for them.”
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