Pair behind bars for total of 27 years

TWO thugs who killed a man after a jibe was made about his height have been jailed for a total of more than 27 years.

Billy McGuire was stabbed four times in the chest during the attack in Clydebank on December 20, 2020.

Violence was sparked after the 25- year- old found out he had been called a midget by Brian Folan.

Folan was yesterday jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum 16 years and two months behind bars.

The 27- year- old – said to have a £ 100,000 bounty on his head in prison – had earlier admitted to a murder charge. Accomplice Corey Craig, 28, was sentenced to 11 years and four months following his guilty plea to the culpable homicide of Mr McGuire.

Lord Mulholland said: “This was a pre- meditated and cowardly attack.

“The family have been given a life sentence following his loss.

“The courts have all too often seen the tragic results of knife crime and this is another example of it.”

The other co- accused – 26- year- old Jordon Morrison – was jailed for eight and a half years after he admitted to the attempted murder of Mr McGuire’s friend John Higgins that night.

The court earlier heard how Folan knew both Mr McGuire and Mr Higgins. Craig meantime knew the latter. Folan, Morrison and the two men were at a party at the house in Perth Crescent, Clydebank, where Angel White lived.

Later on December 20, 2020, the four along with Miss White and her friend Elle Leonard were the only people still there.

Prosecutor Eric Robertson then explained: “Billy McGuire and John Higgins fell asleep.

“Folan – in discussion with Angel White – described Billy McGuire as ‘ a midget and an idiot’.

“Later, John Higgins made a remark about Folan’s mother, which angered him.”

The court heard after Folan and Morrison were picked up by Craig, the women told Mr McGuire about the “midget” jibe.

Mr McGuire then called Folan stating: “Make sure you are in your mum’s tomorrow.”

He added he was “going to come and see him”.

During a separate call, there were then threats exchanged between Folan and Mr Higgins.

It ended up with Folan,

Morrison and Craig returning to the house around midnight.

Mr McGuire was knifed as he sat on a sofa with Morrison attacking Mr Higgins.

Mr McGuire went into cardiac arrest and passed away that morning.

His friend ended up in intensive care from his stab wounds. He will be scarred for life but is likely to make a full recovery.

Folan, Morrison and Craig were later held by police.

Craig pleaded guilty to the culpable homicide charge and assaulting Mr Higgins on the basis he drove Folan and Morrison to the house.

Folan’s lawyer said the killer had been rejected by the army shortly before the murder and now plans to study theology in prison.

But Thomas Ross KC added: “While on remand, a sum of £ 30,000 was on offer for anyone who assaulted him.

“He was then advised by the authorities that the bounty had been raised to £ 100,000.

“That has had a substantial effect on Mr Folan. The police do not give those warnings lightly, so every day he will be looking over his shoulder.”

The court was also told both Folan and Craig had previously lost relatives to violence.