Boy, 14, admits killing gang rival in row over £50

A 14-year-old boy has admitted killing a gang rival following a dispute over £50.

The attacker stabbed Kory McCrimmon, 16, in the heart after a confrontation in Greenfield Park in Glasgow's east end on 31 May last year.

The pair had earlier exchanged threats on social media.

The boy, who cannot be named, pleaded guilty to culpable homicide while acting under provocation. He will be sentenced in May.

The accused - who was 13 at the time of the attack - had initially faced an allegation of murder but his KC John Scullion offered a guilty plea to the reduced charge, which was accepted.

Lord Mullholland told the teenager: "If there was ever a case which shows the utter folly of running with a gang, it is this."

The High Court in Glasgow heard Kory and his killer were known as "rivals", with both boys being associated with different gangs.

Advocate depute Greg Farrell said the pair had regularly been in touch with each other on Instagram, initially on "good terms" before there was a "falling out" over £50.

The court heard the killer refused to pay Kory back and an argument broke out via social media.

Mr Farrell said: "There were insults and threats of violence made by both parties to one another.

"The accused repeatedly threatened to "chop up" Kory and to kill him.

"Kory McCrimmon, in response, threatened to have him shot."

Further threats were made on an Instagram page used by different gang members on 31 May and the pair arranged to meet in Greenfield Park for a "confrontation".

The accused posted: "Kory, wee man, you will actually get decapitated."

The lawyer stated there was a "significant amount of bravado and posturing on both sides" ahead of the planned confrontation and the members of the group were "egging each other on".

The court heard a large number of boys and girls assembled that night and many had been drinking.

The killer was part of a gang who entered the park wielding batons, bats and bladed weapons and challenged Kory and his friends to a fight.

Kory ran at the accused, who was seen holding a knife.

Mr Farrell then explained: "He chased Kory McCrimmon while shouting at him.

"Kory stopped and turned to face him.

"During the confrontation, the 14 year-old struck out with a knife stabbing Kory once on the chest."

Kory fell to the ground while his attacker and his associates fled.

Emergency services arrived and Kory was taken to the city's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

He was found to have a single stab wound to the heart along with major internal bleeding.

The teenager also had a severe brain injury, as a result of being stabbed, and died on 2 June.

The court heard the killer ended up at Glasgow Royal Infirmary on the night of the attack.

He had a neck wound and told medics he had been in a "fight in a park".

Mr Scullion said Kory had lashed out at the teenager before the fatal stabbing.

Lord Mulholland told the young killer that using a blade on someone was a "cowardly" and that it was a "lottery" if the person survived.

He added: "It is not cool to be a gang member, it does not make you a tough guy.

"It does not make you hard, if that is something that you want to aspire to.

"I have been in and around these courts for more than 40 years and I have seen the tragedy of this case played out so many times."

The judge said Kory's parents, Neil and Elizabeth, had been given "a life sentence of grief and loss" for their son.

Lord Mulholland added: "All for a stupid gang fight over a sum of money.

"It is utter madness."