Pair kill man over verbal abuse

The court heard that Mr Neilson suffered fractures

A man was beaten to death by a woman and her boyfriend after he called her "a whore", a court was told.

The High Court in Glasgow heard that James Neilson was punched and kicked so viciously that he suffered fractures and massive internal bleeding.

Angela McGonigle, 27, and 38-year-old Robert Carey, were originally charged with murdering Mr Neilson.

However, the Crown accepted a reduced plea of culpable homicide after they admitted they had attacked him.

The incident happened in July 2006 at McGonigle's flat at Midton Street in Glasgow. The court heard that Mr Neilson died later that day in Glasgow Royal Infirmary. The main cause of death was blood loss.

The duration of the attack is not known, but when it stopped it must have been clear he was very badly wounded indeed Paul McBride Prosecuting

Paul McBride QC, prosecuting, told the court that McGonigle and Mr Neilson lived together for 15 months in a platonic but stormy relationship.

"She and Mr Neilson fell out and she intended to pack her bags," he said. "Mr Carey, who describes himself as her boyfriend, was also in the flat. There was a significant argument and it seems Mr Neilson addressed the accused as a whore.

"From that point on, both accused attacked Mr Neilson by punching and kicking him on the head and body.

"The duration of the attack is not known, but when it stopped it must have been clear he was very badly wounded indeed," Mr McBride said.

The court was told that neighbours heard banging and a lot of shouting and then it went quiet. A 999 call for an ambulance was made by McGonigle from Mr Neilson's mobile phone.

Initially police thought McGonigle and Carey were witnesses, but forensic examination of their clothes revealed Mr Neilson's blood on their clothing and on Carey's gold ring.

Judge Lord Hardie deferred sentence until next month for background reports.