A man who murdered his victim with a sword blow to the head was jailed for life yesterday.
A man who murdered his victim with a sword blow to the head was jailed for life yesterday.
Scott Nesbitt struck Morgan Proctor once with the weapon during the attack in Glasgow's Townhead last May. Mr Proctor, a 38-year-old window cleaner, died instantly.
The father-of-one had only been in the area to collect his young niece who had felt threatened at a party attended by Nesbitt.
Nesbitt, 23, admitted to the murder when he appeared at the High Court in Glasgow in November last year.
Judge John Morris, QC, yesterday imposed a life sentence and ordered Nesbitt to serve at least 13-and-a-half years before he can apply for parole.
The judge said he was reducing the term from 15 years to take into account the guilty plea.
The attack happened in the early hours of May 3 last year following a house party in Taylor Place, Townhead. As Mr Proctor's party headed along St James Road they were confronted.
Prosecutor Andrew Miller told the court: "Witnesses describe him (Nesbitt) as carrying an object which appeared to be a sword with a blade of around 2ft in length and two to three inches thick.
"He was seen to run towards Morgan Proctor and swing the sword with both hands striking him on the face. The blow caused Mr Proctor to fall to the ground."
Nesbitt then raced towards his home in nearby St Mungo Avenue as others rushed to help Mr Proctor. The court heard that, despite emergency services being called, Mr Proctor died almost instantly.
A post-mortem examination found Mr Proctor suffered a 27cm wound - 9cm thick - that sliced across his face.
