Boy, 14, admits killing teenager Kory McCrimmon following dispute over £50

A 14-year-old boy has admitted killing a teenager following a dispute over £50.

The boy stabbed Kory McCrimmon, 16, in the heart after a confrontation in Greenfield Park in Glasgow’s east end last May 31.

The accused, who was 13 at the time, appeared in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday.

He had initially faced an allegation of murder.

But, his KC John Scullion offered a guilty plea to the reduced charge of culpable homicide while acting under provocation.

This was accepted by prosecutor Greg Farrell.

The killer will remain in a secure unit as he awaits sentencing in May.

The court heard the Kory and his killer were known as “rivals” and the pair had regularly been in touch with each other on Instagram.

It was initially on “good terms” before there was a “falling out” over £50.

The court heard the killer was refusing to pay Kory back.

Mr Farrell said: “The messages became increasingly acrimonious.

“There were insults and threats of violence made by both parties to one another.”

Further threats were made by the 14-year-old on the day of the attack, with plans for a confrontation at a park made.

Mr Farrell said: “There is a significant amount of bravado and posturing on both sides in the build up to the confrontation being planned.”

A large number of boys and girls gathered at the park that night and Kory and his friends were challenged to a fight.

Kory ran at the accused, who was seen clutching a knife.

Mr Farrell then said: “He chased Kory McCrimmon while shouting at him.

“Kory stopped and turned to face him. During the confrontation, the 14-year-old struck out with a knife stabbing Kory once on the chest.”

Kory slumped to the ground while the boy and his associates fled.

The young attacker was seen with injuries to his neck and head.

Emergency services arrived at the scene before Kory was rushed to the city’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

He was found to have a single stab wound to the heart along with major internal bleeding. He also suffered a severe brain injury as a result of being stabbed.

He never recovered and passed away on June 2.

Meanwhile the attacker ended up at Glasgow Royal Infirmary on the night of the killing with a neck wound, claiming he had been in a “fight in a park”.

The teenager was then transferred to the same hospital Kory was in.

It was there he was arrested initially for attempted murder. The boy later made no comment when interviewed.

Members of the families for both boys were in court on Tuesday.

The 14-year-old’s lawyer Mr Scullion told the hearing Kory had lashed out at the the teenager before the fatal stabbing.

The KC said: “The accused reacted by striking him once on the chest with the knife.”

Lord Mulholland went to state to the boy that using a blade on someone was “cowardly” and that it is a “lottery” if the person survives.

He added Kory’s parents have been given “a life sentence of grief and loss” for their son.

Sentencing was adjourned for reports.