Two men have been sentenced in connection with the murder of a man whose body was dumped near a children’s play area and set on fire.

Jude McPhie, 42, fatally attacked William Leiper, 31, in Glasgow’s Pollok in August 2021.

Mr Leiper’s body was then taken to Househill Park, where it was set alight in view of nearby homes.

The remains were discovered on the morning of 4 August.

Last month, McPhie admitted murdering Mr Leiper and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

Accomplice Christopher O’Reilly, 27, also pleaded guilty to attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

At the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday, McPhie was handed a life sentence with a minimum jail term of 18 years.

Judge Lord Young said: “Only you know for certain what caused you to launch the murderous attack on William Leiper.

“The agreed narrative indicates that there had been previous arguments between the two of you over money due.

“It also seems clear that you were both under the influence of alcohol and illicit drugs on the day of the attack.”

The court was told that McPhie had a secure and supportive upbringing as well as good educational opportunities which he took advantage of.

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However, his heavy consumption of alcohol and illicit drugs from an early age was said to have contributed to “where you find yourself today”.

The judge added: “While I accept that this was not a planned attack, it is clear from the injuries inflicted that this was a sustained and vicious attack on Mr Leiper almost certainly involving the use of a hammer.

“He was heard begging you to stop your attack on him. After murdering him, you tried to evade justice by cleaning the locus, destroying clothing and arranged for the disposal of his body by your co-accused.”

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O’Reilly was jailed for five years and five months for attempting to destroy forensic evidence at the crime scene as well as setting fire to Mr Leiper’s body and leaving it in a public park for others to find.

Lord Young added: “A final indignity to Mr Leiper’s family on top of the loss which they suffered.”

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