ONE of the men accused of murdering James Thompson visited a church to make confession days after his death, the High Court in Glasgow has heard.

Vernon McIntyre told a priest at St Francis' Church in Port Glasgow that he 'could have saved' Mr Thompson.

McIntyre, 37, denies killing Mr Thompson but said we was in the 33-year-old's flat on the night he was stabbed, in October last year.

He told police his co-accused Darryn Canning, 33, carried out the alleged attack and that he went to help the injured man.

Canning also denies murder and told police he watched McIntyre stab Mr Thompson, who he said was one of his 'best pals'.

A jury at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday heard a recording of an interview McIntyre gave police on 25 November last year.

He said that a few days after hearing about Mr Thompson's death, he left Canning's flat - where he had been staying - and got a taxi to St Francis' Church.

On the tape of the interview played to the jury, Detective Stuart Lees was heard asking the accused: "Why did you go?" McIntyre said: "I felt guilty.

"I could have done more.

"I could have stayed and checked up on him." DS Lees then asked McIntyre: "What did you tell the priest?" He replied: "That I could have saved the boy.

"That he had been stabbed and I felt I could have done more to help him." Asked to explain his understanding of confession, the accused said: "When you confess to a priest you speak to God with the priest and confess your sins." DS Lees asked: "What sin did you commit?" McIntyre added: "I could have done more for James when I went over to that house." "I should have done more but I didn't." DS Lees said: "Is it not the case that you went to confession because you had stabbed him?" McIntyre responded: "I couldn't hurt James, nobody could hurt James, he is harmless." The detective said: "But somebody did hurt him, was it you or his best pal?" McIntyre replied: "It was Darryn." Mr Thompson, also known as James Findlay, was stabbed in the leg during an alleged disturbance in his Maxwell Street flat on 18 October.

Two main blood vessels in his left thigh were severed and he bled to death, with his body found several days later in the bathroom of the flat.

The jury at Glasgow High Court also heard yesterday from a witness who told the court that he took McIntyre to see the priest to make confession.

He said he went to the Canning's Robert Street flat, where McIntyre was also staying, after hearing about the death of Mr Thompson.

He asked to speak to McIntyre in private, he said.

The witness told the jury: "I said to Vernon 'what the hell have you got yourself into?' He said 'I don't know'." The witness added that McIntyre told him that he hadn't murdered Mr Thompson, and that Canning had.

He said McIntyre was crying and asked him for help.

The witness said his advice was for McIntyre to speak to a priest and then police.

Advocate depute Alan McKay asked him why McIntyre needed to see a priest and he said: "Because he hadn't stood and waited on an ambulance and helped the boy." He also explained how they had travelled by taxi to St Francis' Church, the witness said.

The witness added: "It wasn't open at the time so I went to his (the priest's) door.

"Vernon stood outside and I explained to the priest that it was very important - it was an emergency confession." Donald Findlay QC, who is representing Canning, asked the witness : "What sin had Mr McIntyre committed that required an emergency confession?" The witness added: "Leaving my friend to die.

"If you walk away and leave a person to die then you are just as guilty as the person who killed him." McIntyre, of Oronsay Avenue, and Canning are also accused of stealing Mr Thompson's mobile phone and later disposing of it.

McIntyre is further accused of giving false statements to police and Canning of washing a top to remove blood.

Both men are also charged with being concerned in the supply of diamorphine, or heroin, and possessing the drug as well as cannabis.

All charges are denied.

The trial, before Lord McEwan, continues.