Police have said William Leiper's killer will now face the consequences following his brutal murder.
At the High Court in Glasgow today, Jude McPhie, aged 42, admitted killing William, 31, and Christopher O’Reilly, 27, admitted attempting to defeat the end of justice.
William's body was found around 7.35am on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, in Househill Park near to Hartstone Road.
He had been murdered before being dumped in a bin and set on fire.
McPhie attacked William Leiper, 31, at a house in Hartstone Road, Pollok, Glasgow between August 2 and 3, 2021.
Prosecutors said he did repeatedly inflict blunt force trauma to Mr Leiper's head by means unknown.
McPhie was in the dock today on the day of his 42nd birthday. He had been due to stand trial this week, but, via his KC Brian McConnachie, pled guilty to murdering Mr Leiper.
Co-accused Christopher O'Reilly, 27, also appeared today. His not guilty plea to the murder accusation was accepted. But, his KC Thomas Ross said he was admitting to a separate charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice after the killing.
The indictment stated that O'Reilly - along with others - bought bleach and lighter fluid to destroy evidence.
Attempts were made to clean blood at the house with clothes and a hammer burned in a garden. Part of a bloodstained mattress was also ditched.
The body of Mr Leiper is then said to have been removed from the murder scene and transported in a wheelie bin to nearby Househill Park in Pollok, where it was torched.
McPhie also pled guilty to attempting to defeat the ends of justice, but the claims he helped move the body and set it alight were deleted.
William Feely, 50, faced that same charge today, but had not been accused of being involved in the murder. His not guilty plea was also accepted and he was allowed to leave the dock.
Police have now welcomed the conviction of the two men.
Detective Inspector Suzanne McNulty, of Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, said: “Our thoughts are with Mr Leiper’s family at what is a very difficult time for them. Nothing can change what happened but I hope this conviction brings a degree of closure for relatives and friends.
“This was a particularly brutal attack and those responsible tried to cover up what they had done by burning Mr Leiper’s body. It was left in the park opposite a children’s play area and in view of nearby homes.
“These men will now face the consequences of their actions.
“Incidents like this are rare and it took a considerable amount of investigation work to bring them to court. I would like to thank members of the public who assisted officers with their enquiries.”
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