'Neighbour from hell' admits killing

The court heard about animosity between the men

A man branded a "neighbour from hell" has admitted killing the 72-year-old occupant of the house next door by bludgeoning him with a stick.

The attack by James Drummond, 65, on James Mitchell was the culmination of five years' bad blood between the pair.

It happened within an hour of Drummond being told by council officials that he was being evicted for his anti-social behaviour.

At the High Court in Glasgow, Drummond, now of 51 Broom Path, Baillieston, pleaded guilty to culpable homicide.

She and Jimmy suffered years of torment from Drummond. He was the ultimate neighbour from hell

Relative of dead man's wife

Sentence was deferred until next month and he was given bail.

The court heard he had been convicted of breach of the peace charges after complaints from Mr Mitchell about loud music and other annoying incidents at their homes in Cardonald.

Advocate depute Brian McConnachie, prosecuting, said: "In January last year the housing department had an eviction notice served on the accused and he was put on supervision for six months.

"There were more problems and on July 31 last year the accused had a meeting with a Mr Andrew Elliot, a housing department official, and told he was to be evicted."

Battered with wood

Two people driving past in a car saw Drummond repeatedly hitting Mr Mitchell on the back of his head with a piece of wood as he lay face down on the ground.

A passer-by told the accused to stop. Drummond walked away saying: "You'll not f****** do that again."

The court heard that Mr Mitchell had undergone a successful heart-bypass operation 16 years previously and had been fit and active.

Mr McConnachie said: "He enjoyed playing with his grandchildren."

After the attack Mr Mitchell was taken to the city's Southern General Hospital suffering two fractures to his skull and other injuries.

He was in the intensive care unit for nine days and was expected to make a full recovery, but he died 10 days later of a heart attack.

Heart attack

Mr McConnachie said that doctors believed that the stress of the attack contributed to the heart attack.

When charged originally with attempted murder Drummond told police he could not remember the attack and added: "I hate that man because he has given me five years of hell."

Mrs Mitchell left court with a dozen relatives. One said: "She and Jimmy suffered years of torment from Drummond. He was the ultimate neighbour from hell."