A SUSPECT left the man he is accused of murdering in a pool of blood while his living room was ablaze, a trial heard today.

John Thomas, 39, and co-accused Andrew McLeod, 58, allegedly assaulted John Dalziel, 47, in Paisley on his birthday on May 6, 2021.

Court papers state the pair inflicted blunt force trauma to Mr Dalziel’s head by means unknown.

It is stated they repeatedly struck him on the neck with a broken plate or sharp instrument.

A separate charge says they wilfully set fire to a jacket.

McLeod faces charges of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at a police station and assaulting an officer by attempting to spit on his body.

The court heard from Mr Dalziel’s neighbour, 29-year-old Robert Carmichael, who told the court he heard his smoke alarm going off at around 9pm.

Mr Carmichael stated that he went outside and saw an orange flicker coming from Mr Dalziel’s window.

He added: “From the front living room window, I saw a fire in the house.”

Mr Carmichael said the fire was around the staircase.

He stated: “I was on the phone to the fire service and said there was a fire to my neighbour’s property and asked them to come out.

“At that point, John Thomas came out the side of the house and I asked him what happened but I don’t know if he heard me or wasn’t there fully himself.

“I realised there might be other people inside and I peered into the window and noticed Mr Dalziel lying on the floor.”

Prosecutor Greg Farrell asked if Mr Dalziel was injured.

Mr Carmichael replied: “I noticed a pool of blood between his arm and head on the floor.”

He added that he saw a man in the living room, sitting on a couch, with a “glazed look on his face.”

Another neighbour, Andrew Cunningham, 51, told the court that he ran into the living room and was told by the man sitting on the couch: “F*** off.”

A police statement given by Mr Dalziel’s deceased friend Neil McEachran was also read to the court.

He told officers he had been with Mr Dalziel, Thomas and McLeod earlier that day.

Mr McEachran stated they had a drink after he was told it was Mr Dalziel’s birthday but the pair later argued over a broken window.

He claimed Mr Dalziel chased him out of the property.

The trial before Judge Lord Arthurson continues.