A killer shattered his victims skull with a claw hammer during a "brutal and savage" attack.

Gordon McCrone is facing a life sentence after being convicted of murdering 40-year-old father-of-four Malcolm McLaren at his home in Clark Street, Airdrie, last year.

The jury at the High Court in Glasgow heard that McCrone struck Mr McLaren at least 13 times over the head with the hammer, leaving his skull split in two.

He also broke his ribs, before leaving him dead in his living room on September, 27, 2016.

McCrone, 46, then tried to cover up the murder by sending texts message to his victim, even though he knew he was dead.

The last text father-of-one McCrone sent said: "What are you up to Malky. My son and aunt say there is police tape everywhere, r u home, everything OK?"

McCrone also disposed of the bloodstained clothes he wore during the assault and in court said that he had done this in an attempt to "beat the system".

He said: "When I looked at the living room it was a horror scene. I didn't want to admit what I had done."

During Tuesday's trial judge Lord Arthurson told McCrone: "This was a quite brutal and savage murder upon Mr McLaren with a claw hammer. The front and back parts of his skull were separated."

Mr Arthurson also praised the dignity shown by the victim's family as they listened to the horrific evidence of "an appalling crime upon their loved one."

In a letter from prison McCrone confessed to his ex wife that he killed Mr McLaren, but claimed that he had acted in self-defence.

McCrone showed no emotion as he was convicted of murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice by sending texts to his victim's phone after murdering him and also disposing of bloodstained clothes.

McCrone will be sentenced in August when Lord Arthurson will determine how many years he should spend in prison before being eligible for parole.

Defence QC Ian Duguid will give his plea in mitigation then.