Nephew is convicted of 'deplorable' murder

A 25-YEAR-OLD man has been convicted of the "deplorable" murder of his uncle.

Andrew Docherty, 25, lashed out at Brian Docherty after a row at the 55-year-old's flat in Greenock last August.

Docherty and his friend Michael Dobson, 26, battered the victim so badly every bone in his face was broken.

They denied at the High Court in Glasgow being responsible for the killing, claiming they had been acting in self defence. Father-of-three Docherty told the jury that he "loved" his uncle.

But they were both yesterday convicted of murder following a seven-day trial.

Judge Lord Pentland remanded them in custody pending sentencing next month.

He told them: "You both now stand convicted of this deplorable murder. From the evidence, this offence involved a deplorable level of violence."

The trial heard how Mr Docherty wanted his nephew to take the blame for an assault that they had been accused of.

Docherty and Dobson had gone to the flat in Clynder Road, Greenock, on 16 August last year.

A row erupted and Mr Docherty and his nephew ended up on the floor.

Docherty told the jury: "I was not in control. I panicked because I did not want me or Michael getting stabbed."

He claimed he thought Mr Docherty would recover after they fled after the attack.

Docherty added: "I just thought that he was cut - that he had burst his nose and was knocked out.

"I thought he would end up in accident and emergency and get sorted. I did not think his life was in danger.

"I loved him. I did not want to kill him."

The trial heard that Dobson - whose hands were seen "covered in blood" - went to the cinema with his brother after the killing.

Both Docherty and Dobson will appear for sentencing at the High Court in Edinburgh on 10 May.