Man who killed stranger in Glasgow street jailed

Craig Watson died in Dennistoun in 2022 after a street attack

A man who killed a stranger in a Glasgow street has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years.

Robert Greig was involved in attack of Craig Watson, 39, in Dennistoun on 17 April 2022.

The father-of-two died after being kicked in the head by Greig.

The 32-year-old's nephew, Kieran Crawford, 21, and three others were also involved in the assault.

In May, Crawford, Jamie Fullerton, 21, Laughlin Duffy, 19, and a boy who is now 17, admitted to assaulting Mr Watson to his severe injury.

All five men had been due to stand trial at the High Court in Glasgow accused of murder.

Greig pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of culpable homicide.

'Feral, concerted attack'

The court heard Mr Watson had a total of 36 external injuries.

Lord Arthurson jailed Crawford and Fullerton for two years, while Duffy and the 17-year-old boy received 18-month sentences.

The judge told all five men the attack was a "feral, concerted attack" on a man unknown to them.

"You have expressed remorse now, but not one of you contacted emergency services," he said.

The group of men had been together before the attack and at the time, Mr Watson had been at a friend's house in the same street.

Mr Watson was outside at about midnight while the others stood at the gate of Crawford's house.

A 16-year-old-girl was with the five attackers and Mr Watson had spoken to her and Greig. He was then heard to make a remark, seemingly about the girl.

Robert Greig kicked the father-of-two in the head

Prosecutor Alex Prentice KC said: "There was a brief argument between Mr Watson and Greig about this comment, which resolved fairly quickly."

The girl went on to tell Fullerton, Duffy and the now 17 year-old boy about the comment.

The group then got into an argument with Mr Watson, before Crawford came outside.

Initially, Greig appeared to try and calm matters before being heard to state: "I have had enough. Just fight."

Mr Prentice said: "The five then charged towards Mr Watson, who tried to run away."

He said Mr Watson was "surrounded" and they began assaulting him, but Mr Watson was overwhelmed and did not fight back.

The 16-year-old tried to drag some of the men away and Mr Watson attempted to get back on to his feet.

Mr Prentice said that after Grieg delivered a "forceful kick" to Mr Watson's head, he stopped moving and the group left the scene with the girl.

A resident found Mr Watson in the street and paramedics attempted to help him, but he did not recover.

Mr Watson had an enlarged heart for his age and size, which the court heard could have caused serious health complications.

Mr Prentice said the "risk of death" would be increased at times of "physical or psychological stress" or the use of stimulant drugs.

He added that while the Crown accepted the kick by Greig was not murderous, it was ultimately "the blow which led to the fatal disturbance to Mr Watson's heart rhythm."

After the attack, Greig and Duffy went to a "birthday party", where Duffy called two friends saying he had been fighting and that "they had battered someone".

In other texts, he confessed to kicking Mr Watson to the face.

Brian McConnachie KC, defending Greig, told the sentencing that the comment was the "catalyst" for the offence.

He added: "He was trying to calm down the situation but then involved himself in it and by his plea of guilty he accepts responsibility."

Ian Duguid KC, defending Crawford, said: "I don't know if he intended to be involved the way he was."

Gordon Jackson KC, defending Fullerton, said his client showed genuine feelings and the case "weighed heavily" on him.

John Scullion KC, defending Duffy, stated that his consumption of alcohol "provides an explanation for his impulsive behaviour."

And Iain McSporran KC, defending the 17-year-old, asked the judge for a non-custodial disposal and cited the young person's sentencing guideless.