Man admits killing Reamonn - but will face murder trial

A MAN has admitted killing a teenage student, who was stabbed to death as he walked home from the pub.However, Daryn Maxwell will still stand trial for the murder of 19-year-old Reamonn Gormley after the crown refused to accept his guilty plea to the lesser charge of culpable homicide.

The 22-year-old admitted that, with his face partially masked, he presented a knife at Mr Gormley, demanded personal items, struggled with him and killed him by repeatedly striking him on the neck and body with a knife or similar instrument.

Mr Gormley had been watching a Celtic match in a bar near his home when the alleged incident took place in Glasgow Road, Blantyre, on 1 February of this year.

He appeared yesterday at the High Court in Glasgow where his culpable homicide plea was rejected by the Crown.

Advocate depute Dorothy Bain QC, prosecuting, told the court: "This plea is not accepted."

Maxwell was in the dock alongside co-accused Barry Smith, 19, who pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Gormley, a psychology student at the University of Glasgow. Both men deny a second charge of presenting a chisel at David McFall and robbing him of a wallet and its contents in Glasgow Road, Blantyre on 1 February, this year.

The trial, which will take place later this year, is expected to last four weeks. Miss Bain told the court: "There is a considerable amount of evidence."

Defence QCs Ian Duguid for Maxwell and Gordon Jackson for Smith told judge Lord Matthews that they were ready for trial. Lord Matthews continued the case to a further preliminary hearing in August.

Mr Gormley was stabbed as he walked home from watching the Celtic versus Aberdeen football match in a bar in Blantyre, his home town. He was taken to Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride, soon after the attack, where he died as a result of his injuries.

A march in memory of Mr Gormley through the streets of Blantyre attracted more than 1,000 people.

More than 800 mourners attended his funeral service at the town's St Joseph's Church before a private burial in Hamilton. The mourners included Celtic manager Neil Lennon.

The requiem mass for family and friends was led by Father Brian Lamb and attended by Mr Gormley's parents Jim and Ann and brother Kieron.

The Bishop of Motherwell, Joseph Devine, was also present and led part of the service.

Fr Lamb said Reamonn had been a "very much a beloved son, brother, grandson, very much a loved relation and friend".