Murder charge dropped over Jonathan Scotland's flats death
A man accused of murdering another man who fell from a tower block is no longer being linked to the death.
Leonard Brannigan had been charged with the murder of Jonathan Scotland whose body was found at Blythswood Court in Glasgow in September last year.
A court heard it was now believed he died through an unrelated "tragic set of circumstances".
Brannigan instead admitted an assault charge and the case was deferred until July for him to be of good behaviour.
The High Court in Glasgow heard how the 30-year-old, who has previous convictions for violence, had been with Mr Scotland at a flat in Blythswood Court on 24 September.
The pair later had a disagreement about a mobile phone that resulted in Brannigan punching the 33 year-old on the head and body.
Police were called some time later after Mr Scotland's body was found at the bottom of the flats.
Drink and drugs
Brannigan initially appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court accused of murder.
He then returned a week later, this time charged with the culpable homicide of Mr Scotland.
But, by the time Brannigan made his first appearance at the high court on Monday the charge had been reduced to assault.
Tony Graham, defending, said: "There has obviously been a tragic set of circumstances around the time (of the assault)."
It was not explained in court how Mr Scotland fell to his death from the eighth floor, but Mr Graham said the dead man had earlier taken a "cocktail" of drink and drugs.
Lord Turnbull clarified that Brannigan's attack was no longer being linked to the death.
Mr Graham replied: "That is correct."
The court was earlier told how Brannigan had 40 previous convictions and had previously been locked up for almost three years for violence in 2002.
In sentencing, Lord Turnbull said he had taken into account that Brannigan had been on remand since last September.