Murder accused has charge dropped

Lewis McMahon (18) had his plea of guilty to a reduced charge of assault accepted by prosecutors at the High Court in Glasgow.

He was on trial at the High Court in Glasgow accused of murdering 18-year-old Mr Banks in North British Road, Uddingston on September 12 last year.

McMahon was also accused of assaulting Daniel McAulay to his severe injury and danger of life.

Today his defence QC, Gordon Jackson, said McMahon would plead guilty to an assault by punching Mr Banks repeatedly on the body. He continued to deny the assault on Mr McAulay.

Advocate depute Iain McSporran said he had reviewed the evidence and the pleas were acceptable to the Crown.

Sentence was deferred on McMahon until a later date and he was granted bail.

Liam Donnelly (18) and Paul Kane (25) are still on trial for allegedly murdering Mr Banks and assaulting Mr McAulay.

Kane also faces a charge of threatening a woman with violence if she spoke to the police about his involvement in the attacks.

The court has heard that a 16-year-old female friend of Donnelly was allegedly assaulted by Mr Banks and she asked Donnelly to “batter” him.

Later, it was said, Kane phoned her and told her: “That’s it done.”

The trial before judge Lord Armstrong continues.