Life terms for brothers who killed man in Glasgow park

Andrew Curran died of a sword wound to the neck

Two brothers who killed a man in front of his sons during a pre-arranged fight in Glasgow have been jailed for life.

Angus Malavin, 26, and his 17-year-old brother Zak were previously convicted of murdering Andrew Curran, 41, in Maryhill Park last April.

The High Court in Glasgow heard how he died from a sword wound to the neck.

Judge Lord Matthews ordered Angus Malavin to serve a minimum of 18 years while his younger brother will be detained for a minimum 17 years.

Co-accused Steven Souley, 21, who was convicted of the reduced charge of culpable homicide had his sentencing further deferred for a risk assessment to be compiled.

At their trial in November, all three men were also convicted of assaulting Mr Curran's friend James McGregor, 50, by striking him on the body with a sword and shooting his body with a crossbow, causing severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

The court heard that trouble began when Andrew Curran junior's friend Paul Brown urinated on a bottle of alcohol belonging to Zac Malavin.

After this incident Zac Malavin stabbed Mr Brown and Andrew Curran Jr, although the matter was not reported to the police, and tried to run down Mr Curran Jr with a car.

Mr Curran Sr become involved when he tried to sort out the problem by telephoning the Malavins.

He spoke to Angus Malavin, who said that anyone who went near his brother was getting a bullet in the head.

Both sides agreed to meet in Maryhill Park on the evening of 16 April 2010 and the court was told that some were armed.

Mr Curran went there with friends and his sons and the Malavins headed to the park with friends.

Both sides clashed near the running track during which Mr Curran was stabbed in the neck and stomach.

The Malavin brothers and Souley had denied killing Mr Curran and claimed they were acting in self defence and that it was the other group who were the aggressors.

Jailing the Malavin brothers, Lord Matthews said: "You are both young men with a great deal to look forward to but also a great deal to lose."

He added that others had done themselves no credit with what happened that night, but that Mr Curran had "not emerged at all".