A HOUSEHOLDER has told a murder trial how he dialled 999 after finding a man lying stricken near his house in the early hours.

Paul Armstrong said he rushed out to help and discovered the individual "groaning" and appearing to pray.

The 49 year-old was today giving evidence at the High Court in Glasgow.

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William Hay, 19, is on trial charged with being involved in the murder of Mohammed Abu Sammour, 49, at the Torrance Garden housing development in Newarthill, Lanarkshire on October 28 2018.

He denies the crime and has lodged a special defence of incrimination.

Mr Armstrong - who lived at the development with his family - had been alerted to noises around 1am.

He heard what he described as like "cymbals crashing", a thud as well as revving from a vehicle.

The witness also claimed to hear a voice stating: "come on, we need to go".

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He said he then spotted a vehicle initially speeding away and then going out the estate.

Mr Armstrong went on to notice a figure outside and went outside.

The 49 year-old told prosecutor Kevin McCallum: "There was so much blood and the man was badly disfigured.

"He was speaking not in English - it was Arabic. It seemed that he was praying.

"He was speaking very fast and I could hear the word 'Allah' several times.

"He had injuries to his head and face. His leg was badly disfigured and there was the blood surrounding the body on the road.

"His leg looked as if it was badly broken or dislocated.

"There was a flap at the top of his head that came right over his face like a mask.

"I had never seen anything like it before."

Mr McCallum said it must have been "obvious" the man needed medical attention.

Mr Armstrong: "Yes, I phoned 999."

The trial, before judge Lord Arthurson, continues.