Man jailed for killing NHS worker with knife and scissors

Kyle Zybilowicz was stabbed to death by Darren McDade at his flat in Dumbreck, Glasgow

A man who murdered an NHS worker with a knife and scissors at a tower block in Glasgow has been jailed for eight years.

Darren McDade admitted causing the death of Kyle Zybilowicz, 29, at the victim's flat in Dumbreck Court on 22 July, 2023.

A trial heard McDade, 34, went to a "Herculean effort" to avoid being caught for the killing, including hiding the weapon and burning his clothes.

McDade had been on trial for murder at the High Court in Glasgow, but was convicted of a lesser charge of culpable homicide while acting under provocation.

McDade said he had feared for his own life after Mr Zybilowicz forced himself on him, bit him hard on the finger and attempted to grab the scissors.

McDade said he got to them first before striking Mr Zybilowicz, although he did not know how many times he struck him.

The trial had heard McDade was out with a friend at a city centre casino before the killing.

He said he and Mr Zybilowicz had been in contact online, but had never met in person.

McDade and his friend were said to have got a taxi from the west end to Mr Zybilowicz's flat in the south side of the city in order to obtain cocaine.

He claimed Mr Zybilowicz had propositioned him shortly after he arrived alone, but he had rejected his advances.

McDade said he and Mr Zybilowicz had begun grappling before Mr Zybilowicz tried to attack him with a knife.

He said he managed to get hold of the blade and lashed out at Mr Zybilowicz.

McDade told the jury: "I was terrified. I thought: 'This is it for me'".

'Herculean effort'

He claimed Mr Zybilowicz bit him hard on the finger and reached for a pair of scissors, but he got to them first before stabbing the victim.

McDade said he did not know how many times he struck Kyle, who suffered multiple wounds, including to the eye.

The court head McDade took Mr Zybilowicz's phone and threw it away during taxi journey away from the flat.

He also abandoned the scissors behind an electricity box in Maryhill and took a hire car to the Campsie Fells in East Dunbartonshire to burn his clothes after buying matches and turps from a supermarket.

Prosecutors claimed McDade told others Mr Zybilowicz had threatened him via text.

McDade claimed he later read about Mr Zybilowicz's death online.

Prosecutor Ali Murray asked McDade: "You went to the Herculean effort to destroy evidence because you knew that the good people of Police Scotland would be wanting to speak with you?"

McDade said he agreed.

'Traumatic impact'

Sentencing, Lord Scott paid tribute to Mr Zybilowicz's family.

He said: They tell me of the traumatic and enduring impact his death has had on them and the family including three nieces who will never know their uncle.

"He was a kind, generous loving, generous man. He did so much to make people laugh.

"It is clear his death has had a significant impact on this family.

"There is no sentence that I can impose that can lessen the impact of the death of a much-loved son, brother, uncle and colleague."