Man cries as he tells court how he found his mum dead in Hamilton flat

A man sobbed in court as he told jurors how he found his mum who was allegedly murdered by his brother in Hamilton.

Scott Glassford, 40, stated Mary Haley, 72, was lying dead on the carpet of her property on February 9, 2020.

Mr Glassford said in evidence at the High Court in Glasgow that she was cold to the touch and had blood on her face.

His younger brother Craig Haley, 37, who is on trial for Mary's murder, allegedly told family the next day that he was "defending himself."

Prosecutors claim Haley repeatedly punched and kicked Mary to her head and body.

It is stated Haley struck her to the head and body with a blunt instrument which caused her to fall to the floor.

The charge states Haley dragged her along the floor and stairs before strangling her by compressing her neck.

Mr Glassford claimed Mary had visited his home two days before her death.

The witness wept when prosecutor Graeme Jessop asked what time she left that day.

He replied: "I honestly don't know."

Mr Glassford stated he went out with his partner and a young boy the following day to run errands in Hamilton.

He claimed he spotted Haley crossing a road while holding a bottle of Buckfast and heading to Mary's flat nearby.

Mr Glassford said he phoned Mary immediately and was told by her that she locked her door.

Mr Glassford told jurors that his aunt Ann gave him "information" outside his home the following day.

He said he walked to Mary's flat and "sneaked in" through the locked front door with his spare key.

Mr Jessop asked what room he went into.

Mr Glassford broke down in tears and replied: "I shouted for my mum and looked in the bedroom and she wasn't there.

"Then I went to the living room and she was lying."

Mr Glassford stated Mary was lying on her back with her hands up.

Mr Jessop said: "Once you saw your mum, was your impression that she was already dead?"

Mr Glassford replied: "Yes."

He stated a 999 call was made after he left the flat but was ordered by a paramedic to go back and check on Mary's body.

Mr Glassford said: "I put my hand on her finger and it was cold, I was asked to touch her chest but it was cold, there was blood on her face."

Mr Glassford said he was given information the following day that Haley was in a bookmakers in Hamilton but had recently left.

His partner Donna Hilson, 37, earlier told jurors that she saw police officers chase Haley while she was looking for him.

Miss Hilson claimed she was able to speak to Haley and asked him: “Why did you do it?”

She said Haley replied: “Did what? I only defended myself.”

Miss Hilson claimed there was an earlier occasion in which Mary had gone to their house after Haley had allegedly smashed a family picture while “under the influence.”

Mr Jessop asked what Haley had asked for from Mary and Miss Robertson replied: “Money.”

Haley's QC Donald Findlay asked if Haley would have been "anything other than welcome" at Mary's flat.

She replied: "I don't think he would be welcome because she told him that when she put him out the house in November."

Police constable Andrew Adams, 33, claimed in evidence that he was first to arrive at the scene.

Mr Jessop asked what condition Mary was in.

He replied: "There was extreme swelling on her eyes, there was a lot of blood on her face and her left ear was extremely swollen.

"She was lying on what I believe was a pool of blood behind her head."

Constable Ben Watson, 35, searched Haley while in custody.

He claimed he was also told by Haley that he was "just defending myself."

The officer stated Haley had scratch marks on his fingers as well as bruising and graze to his shoulders.

He also claimed a key to Mary's flat was recovered from his clothing.

Haley faces other charges of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards Mary between March 2019 and February 2020.

He is also accused of assaulting her on various earlier occasions between September and November 2019.

Other allegations include theft of a purse, cigarettes, a bank card, a mobile phone and money as well as possession of diamorphine.

Haley denies all six charges.

The trial continues before judge Lord Sandison.

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