A knife thug who stabbed his friend to death has been convicted of killing him.
Dale Gardiner, 25, knifed William Wardrop following a row shortly after they had been playing a PlayStation together at the thug's home in Larkhall.
Tragically, the 23-year-old victim didn't survive, despite mercy crews spending 40 minutes trying to save him at the property on the town's Riverside Road.
Gardiner had claimed he was acting in self defence during the incident in the early hours of May 22, 2020.
However, prosecutors insisted that what he did was "nothing like a proportionate response".
Gardiner was found guilty of culpable homicide under provocation, following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
He had originally been accused of murder.
He was remanded in custody pending sentencing next month by judge Lady Rae.
The men had been together at Gardiner's then home which included them being on the games console.
Another man there said things were "friendly enough" before Gardiner and William got into a row.
Despite the argument calming at one stage, the victim was then fatally stabbed. He initially managed to stagger away before collapsing.
After the attack, Gardiner was described as "hysterical" and crying about his "best friend".
He said at one stage: "He ran at me and I stabbed him" adding "Is he alright, my pal Willie?".
In his speech to jurors, prosecutor Stewart Ronnie said: "It is also clear Dale Gardiner was telling anyone who asked what had happened."
Mr Ronnie stated the killer had "targeted William's chest with a lethal weapon".
The advocate depute: "I suggest his actions could not be considered proportionate."
Sentencing was deferred for reports.
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