Sword killer sliced victim's head

The attack happened following a party at a flat in Taylor Place, Townhead

A 23-year-old man has admitted murdering a father of one with a sword after a row at a party in Glasgow.

The High Court in Glasgow heard that Scott Nesbitt almost sliced Morgan Proctor's head in two during the attack at a flat in Townhead in May.

Mr Proctor had only gone to the party because his young niece felt threatened.

Three other men also faced a murder charge but their not guilty pleas were accepted.

The court heard that Nesbitt attacked Mr Proctor in the street with a 2ft-long blade after an earlier row involving a number of men and youths at a party in a flat in Taylor Place.

Mr Proctor had gone to help collect his niece and her boyfriend who had called to say they felt threatened.

After they left the party they were confronted by a gang, some of whom had been in the flat.

Fatal blow

As Mr Proctor and a friend walked on they were confronted again before Nesbitt was seen running through a car park.

Prosecutor Andrew Miller said: "He was seen to run towards Morgan Proctor and swing the sword with both hands striking him on the face."

He said the blow caused "almost complete detachment" of the jaw from the upper face.

The 38-year-old window cleaner suffered a 27cm (11in) wound and died almost instantly.

Nesbitt later turned up at a friend's house having changed his clothes and said he had "chopped" a man in the street with a sword.

Sentence deferred

James Nesbitt, 24, George McKay, 23, and Christopher Milligan, 23, also faced a murder charge but their not guilty pleas were accepted.

Simone Nesbitt, 20, was accused of assaulting Mr Proctor and her not guilty plea was also accepted.

Judge John Morris QC deferred sentencing until next month for reports.

Nesbitt waved and gave the thumbs up to family and friends as he was led to the cells.