TWO men have admitted ambushing a convicted killer in a public park.

John McDade and James Carson turned on William Hay in Holytown, North Lanarkshire, on June 12, 2021.

McDade struck Hay with a glass vodka bottle before Carson repeatedly stabbed him on the body potentially endangering his life.

Hay was on bail at the time for killing security supervisor Mohammed Abu Sammour in 2018.

Hay and two others punched kicked and hit the victim with a brick and knuckleduster before stamping on him.

Mr Sammour was then reversed over by his own work's van by the joyriders.

When he was discovered, Mr Sammour was seen to be praying for his life but died later in hospital.

Hay was convicted of culpable homicide at the High Court in Glasgow and received a six-year prison sentence.

At the same court today, McDade admitted assaulting Hay to his injury while Carson pleaded guilty to assaulting him to the danger of his life.

The court heard the trio had left a party they attended and walked through a park.

Carson called Hay a "fly grass" before bringing out a knife from his trousers.

Hay kicked Carson on the leg to the ground before McDade smashed the glass bottle over Hay's head.

Prosecutor Michael MacIntosh said: "Carson then stood up and repeatedly struck Hay on the body with a knife. 

"Hay then attempted to protect himself by covering the front of his body with his arms and hands but ultimately sustained the six separate stab wounds."

Hay was later taken to hospital for treatment while Carson was initially traced.

He was heard to say: "Is the person still alive?"

Hay was treated for wounds to his eye, head, chest and breast as well as a puncture wound to the kidney.

Mr MacIntosh added: "The injuries were not actually life-endangering but it is accepted that repeated blows with a knife to the body carries an inherent potential for life to be endangered."

Sentence was deferred pending background reports by Judge John McCormick.

Carson was remanded in custody while McDade - who was not present at court - had his bail continued.