Man jailed for 16 years for stamping friend to death

Iain Kennedy, 32, died from his injuries in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow

A killer who murdered a man in Lanarkshire after he allegedly made a comment about his mother has been jailed for a minimum of 16 years.

Jordan Moore kicked and stamped Iain Kennedy, 32, to death during an altercation at the victim's flat.

The 27 year-old was later described as "laughing" following the murder at Mr Kennedy's flat in Larkhall on 25 January this year.

Moore - who already had convictions for violence and weapons and was on bail at the time of the attack- admitted to a murder charge at the High Court in Glasgow.

Moore and Mr Kennedy had known each other since childhood and had got back in touch on Facebook shortly before the killing.

The pair, along with mutual friend Robert Mitchell, were at Mr Kennedy's home that night.

Mr Mitchell later left leaving Mr Kennedy and Moore there.

Around that time, the victim contacted his cousin Sandy Fraser via a video call.

Prosecutor Ruaraidh Ferguson told the court that when Mr Fraser answered, he could see an altercation was taking place.

Mr Fraser contacted 999 before heading to the flat with his brother.

In the time Moore and Mr Kennedy were alone, the accused assaulted him in the living room, repeatedly kicking and stamping on his head, neck and body.

Moore also compressed his neck and repeatedly struck him on the face and body with a knife.

When Mr Fraser arrived he saw Moore sitting on a sofa and clutching a knife, with Mr Kennedy lying on the floor.

When asked what he had done to the victim, Moore said: "He is away".

'Catastrophic' skull fracture

When emergency services arrived they found Moore on a sofa, laughing while covered in blood.

Iain Kennedy was propped up against a chair and completely unresponsive, with significant injuries to his face.

The court heard Mr Kennedy's injuries included a "catastrophic" skull fracture and brain damage.

He died in hospital on 26 January.

Things said by Moore to police suggested he had attacked Mr Kennedy due to a remark made about his mother.

Moore apparently stated to Mr Kennedy: "You should not have said that about my mum".

Moore had been given bail at Livingston Sheriff Court in connection with drugs charges just 11 days before the murder

A condition of his release was a curfew, to keep him at home between 19:00 and 07:00.

'Gross over-reaction'

Keith Stewart KC, defending, said the death of Moore's young son in June 2024 had a "calamitous and destabilizing" effect on him.

But the advocate added that was no excuse for what he then did to Mr Kennedy.

Lord Scott said the minimum jail-term would have been 18 and a half years, but for the guilty plea.

He stated the attack was a "gross over-reaction" to any comment which may have been made.

The judge stated he had read an emotional victim impact statement from one of Mr Kennedy's sisters, where she described how her brother's death had left her feeling broken and incomplete.

She also stated her children have lost their "fun uncle" and Christmas this year - the first without him - will be difficult for the whole family.

Moore showed no emotion as he was led to the cells.