Man admits killing relative and fleeing to Europe
- Published
A man who stabbed a relative to death and then fled to Europe has been jailed.
Dean Ferguson fatally wounded Billy Joe Bates, 28, during a confrontation in Milton, Glasgow, on 18 November 2018.
Mr Bates, who was described as Ferguson's second cousin, died in the city's Royal Infirmary four days after the attack.
Detectives later discovered encrypted phone messages that linked Ferguson, 30, to the crime, including him boasting how he had left the country.
The killer was arrested three-and-a-half years later in the Netherlands and extradited in May 2022.
He had been due to stand trial at the High Court in Glasgow for the murder of Mr Bates.
But through his lawyer, Donald Findlay KC, he admitted the reduced charge of culpable homicide on Wednesday.
Prosecutor John Keenan KC said the exact details of the killing "cannot be determined".
But he added that there had been "no history of animosity" between the pair.
The court heard the two men spent the morning of the attack together before going their separate ways.
They later met up again and a confrontation broke out at about 14:30.
He said: "Ferguson sustained a head injury and Billy Joe Bates sustained a number of injuries including a fatal deep stab wound to the chest."
Ferguson, who was initially identified as a potential suspect, went to Glasgow Royal Infirmary around the same time as Mr Bates.
Detectives examined CCTV footage which showed Ferguson, the victim and another man going to a flat in the city's Maryhill early on 18 November.
Ferguson had been described as "angry and agitated" while there.
The men left the flat, but Mr Bates came back to collect his phone and told a witness that he had "fallen out" with Ferguson.
They all later all ended up at the flat in Milton where the fatal attack occurred.
Mr Keenan told the court neighbours recalled hearing "raised male voices".
One said there was a "shout of pain or cry for help".
The man with Ferguson and Mr Bates made a 999 call at 14:33.
Mr Bates was taken to hospital but the court heard he was "unable to state what had happened".
Stab wounds were found on his chest and upper right arm.
His right liver was also punctured, which caused internal bleeding.
Mr Bates never recovered and died on 22 November.
At the same hospital, Ferguson claimed his own injuries had occurred by falling on glass and he later discharged himself.
He wasn't previously arrested due to a lack of evidence and his unknown whereabouts at the time.
Ferguson was remanded in custody pending sentencing in the New Year.
His lawyer, Mr Findlay said: "Dean Ferguson accepts that there are other steps that he could have taken. The blow that he struck took a life."
Lord Clark deferred sentencing for reports.