Brothers jailed for 35 years after killing man in park stabbing

TWO brothers convicted of killing a father in front of his sons during a pre-arranged fight in a park were jailed for a total of 35 years yesterday.

Andrew Curran died from a sword wound to the neck after an attack in Glasgow's Maryhill Park last April.

Angus Malavin, 26, and his 17-year-old brother Zak were found guilty of murdering Mr Curran, 41, following a trial last month.

The pair yesterday returned to the dock at the High Court in Glasgow, where they were handed life sentences.

Judge Lord Matthews ordered Angus Malavin to serve at least 18 years behind bars while his younger sibling will be detained for a minimum of 17 years.

The judge said: "You are both young men with a great deal to look forward to - but also a great deal to lose."

He added that others had done themselves no credit with what happened that night, but that Mr Curran had "not emerged at all".

There were angry scenes in the courtroom as the two brothers were led downstairs to the cells. Zak Malavin responded to remarks by the victim's friends and relatives by shouting: "Easy days."

Co-accused Steven Souley, 21, - who was convicted of the reduced charge of culpable homicide - had his sentencing further deferred for a risk assessment on him to be compiled.

The trial had earlier heard how trouble had flared over an incident involving a bottle of alcohol that belonged to Zak Malavin. It was claimed that the teenager then stabbed Mr Curran's son Andrew jnr and his friend Paul Brown - although the matter was never reported to police.

Mr Curran snr had attempted to defuse any problem by calling the Malavins.

However, Angus Malavin then threatened that anyone who went near his brother would "get a bullet in the head".

A fight later broke out between the groups on 16 April in the city's Maryhill Park.

Mr Curran went there with friends and his sons while the Malavins were joined by their associates.

Andrew jnr recalled how he saw his dying father clutch his neck during the incident.

The witness - whose brother Josh was also in the park - said: "He was still walking, but he was holding his neck.

"There was blood coming out. He was staggering.

"I was holding him up."

Angus Malavin was convicted of murdering Mr Curran by stabbing him in the neck and stomach.

His brother Zak was found to have been acting in concert with him while the third accused, Souley, was convicted of culpable homicide.

The trio had claimed that they were acting in self defence and that it was the other group who were the aggressors.

They were also convicted of assaulting Mr Curran's friend James McGregor, 50, with a sword and crossbow.