5 April 2011 Last updated at 12:32 ET

Andrew Docherty killed uncle in Greenock

Brian Docherty was killed by his nephew Andrew

A 25-year-old man is facing a life sentence after being convicted of murdering his uncle in Inverclyde.

Andrew Docherty attacked Brian Docherty following a row at the 55 year-old's flat in Greenock last August.

The High Court in Glasgow heard how Docherty and friend Michael Dobson, 26, battered their victim so badly that every bone in his face was broken.

The pair claimed they acted in self defence but were both convicted of murder. Sentence was deferred.

The trial heard how Mr Docherty wanted his nephew to take the blame for an assault they had been accused of.

Docherty and Dobson had gone to the uncle's flat in Clynder Road, Greenock, on 16 August last year.

A row erupted and Mr Docherty and his nephew ended up on the floor.

'I panicked'

Docherty told the jury: "I was not in control. I panicked because I did not want me or Michael getting stabbed."

He claimed he thought Mr Docherty would recover after the attack.

Docherty added: "I just thought that he was cut - that he had burst his nose and was knocked out.

"I thought he would end up in accident and emergency and get sorted. I did not think his life was in danger.

"I loved him. I did not want to kill him."

The trial heard that Dobson - whose hands were seen covered in blood - went to the cinema with his brother after the killing.

Mr Docherty was found to have a string of injuries including bleeding from the brain and multiple facial fractures.

Previous offences

A pathologist said some of the facial wounds were likely to have been caused by a sharp object.

It emerged during the trial that Docherty and Dobson had previously served jail terms in England for violence.

Docherty, from Greenock, was locked up for three years in 2006 and Dobson, from Leicester, for four in 2005.

Judge Lord Pentland remanded both in custody pending sentencing next month.

He told them: "You both now stand convicted of this deplorable murder. From the evidence, this offence involved a deplorable level of violence."