Teen admits killing Kory McCrimmon in Glasgow park in row over £50 (2025)

A teen boy has pleaded guilty to killing Kory McCrimmon in a Glasgow park.

A 14-year-old boy has admitted killing a fellow teenager following a dispute over £50. The attacker stabbed Kory McCrimmon, 16, in the heart after a confrontation in Greenfield Park in Glasgow's east end last May 31.

The pair were associated with rival gangs with threats earlier exchanged on social media. A judge today told the young killer: "If there was ever a case which shows the utter folly of running with a gang, it is this one."

The accused - who was 13 at the time - appeared in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow. 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 Kibble Secure Unit as he awaits sentencing in May. Before the attack, the 14 year-old had social work involvement as he had not been attending school.

Kory - who had played for Easterhouse Football Academy - had no previous convictions. The court heard the Kory and his killer were known as "rivals".

Advocate depute Mr Farrell: "There is also a gang element to this case... With Kory McCrimmon coming from another area, there are inevitably territorial rivalries."

The court heard 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: "The messages became increasingly acrimonious. There were insults and threats of violence made by both parties to one another.

The accused repeatedly threatened to "chop up" Kory and to kill him. Kory McCrimmon, in response, threatened to have him shot. "Both issued these threats of violence in context of being in rival gangs."

Despite this, it appeared, at one stage, the row could be resolved. But, an Instagram page used by different gang members, revealed further threats by the 14 year-old on the day of the attack with Kory responding.

Mr Farrell: "During this chat, both sides are arranging to meet that night in Greenfield Park for a confrontation." This included the accused stating: "Kory, wee man, you will actually get decapitated you wee f*****g ugly b*****d."

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

"The participants to this chat appear to be egging each other on in anticipation of a gang fight later that day." A large number of boys and girls gathered at the park that night.

Many had been drinking. The killer was part of a gang who stormed in wielding batons, bats and bladed weapons. They challenged Kory and his friends to a fight.

Kory ran at the accused, who was clocked clutching a knife. Mr Farrell then explained: "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. There is evidence that the brother of the accused shouted for him not to do it."

Kory slumped to the ground while the young thug and his associates fled. The young attacker was seen with injuries to his neck and head. Mercy crews arrived 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. Kory also had a severe brain injury as a result of being stabbed.

He never recovered and passed away on June 2. The attacker ended up at Glasgow Royal Infirmary on the night of the killing. He had a neck wound having said 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 today. 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 young killer that using a blade on someone was a "cowardly" and that it is a "lottery" if they survive.

He added: "If there was ever a case which shows the utter folly of running with a gang, it is this. It is not cool to be a gang member, it does not make you a tough guy.

"It does not make you hard, if that is something that you want to aspire to. I have been in and around these courts for more than 40 years and I have seen the tragedy of this case played out so many times."

Lord Mulholland said Kory's parents Neil and Elizabeth have been given "a life sentence of grief and loss" for their son. The judge added: "All for a stupid gang fight over a sum of money. It is utter madness." Sentencing was adjourned for reports.