Dean Ferguson knifed Billy Joe Bates, described as his second cousin, during a confrontation in Glasgow’s Milton on November 18, 2018.
The 30-year-old went on the run and it was only in May, 2022 that he was discovered in the Netherlands before being brought back to face justice.
Detectives had also cracked encrypted phone messages that linked him to the fatal stabbing including Ferguson boasting how he had “f****d off” out of the country.
Ferguson had been due to stand trial for the murder of 28-year-old Billy Joe.
But, via his lawyer Donald Findlay KC, he instead pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of culpable homicide at the High Court in Glasgow.
Judge Lord Clark said: “You have expressed remorse for the tragic consequences of your actions.
“This was not premeditated – it was spontaneous in response to a fear of an assault.
“I have taken account of the victim impact statement from Mr Bates’ mother.
“She explained in her deeply moving words of the consequences this has had on the family.
“There is no sentence I can impose which will begin to relieve that grief.”
Prosecutor John Keenan KC told an earlier hearing how the exact details of the killing “cannot be determined”, but that there had been “no history of animosity” between the men.
The court heard the pair spent the morning of the attack together before going separate ways.
Mr Keenan: “They then came together around 2.30pm and a violent confrontation ensued.
“Ferguson sustained a head injury and Billy Joe Bates sustained a number of injuries including a fatal deep stab wound to the chest.”
Ferguson ended up at Glasgow Royal Infirmary around the same time as Billy Joe.
He was initially identified as a “potential suspect”
Detectives then began to trawl through CCTV to try and discover what happened.
Footage showed Ferguson, the victim and another man going to a flat in the city’s Maryhill early on November 18.
Ferguson had been described as “angry and agitated” while there.
The men all left – Billy Joe came back to collect his phone and told a witness that he had “fallen out” with Ferguson.
The men all ended up at the flat in Milton where the killing occurred.
Mr Keenan stated neighbours recalled hearing “raised male voices”.
One said there was a “shout of pain or cry for help”.
The man with Ferguson and Billy Joe made a 999 call at 2.33pm.
A woman went on to see an injured Billy Joe outside with a wound on his right side.
He was taken to hospital, but the court heard he was “unable to state what had happened”.
The stab wound was found to have punctured his right liver causing internal bleeding.
He was treated over the next few days, but never recovered and passed away on November 22 2018.
Billy Joe was found to have suffered stab wounds to the chest and upper right arm.
While at the same hospital, Ferguson claimed his own injuries had occurred by falling on glass.
He later discharged himself and, despite efforts to trace him, he was not found at that time.
A knife meantime found at the flat was described as being “potentially responsible” for causing the fatal stab wound.
There had also been “attempts at cleaning” the property.
The French and Dutch law authorities later went on to smash the EncroChat phone network favoured by criminals.
Encrypted messages linked to Ferguson were uncovered and helped identify him as the assailant.
He had not previously been arrested due to a lack of evidence and his “whereabouts unknown” at the time.
In one message, he discussed the case with his partner.
He stated: “There is not even a point in trying to make up a story til I see the evidence.
“I could make things worse for myself doing that. Never know, I might not even need a story.”
Ferguson also stated he had “f****d off” and fled the UK with a warrant out for his arrest.
Mr Keenan: “An extradition request was made to the Dutch authorities as Ferguson was believed to be in Holland.
“He was extradited on May 4, 2022.”
Mr Findlay gave an account at the earlier hearing of what was said to have occurred that day.
Prosecutors stated they could “neither confirm or deny” what was put forward.
Mr Findlay stated Billy Joe had been armed with a blade, there was a struggle and Ferguson got him to drop the weapon.
It was claimed the victim then ended up leaving Ferguson bleeding by smacking a bottle over his head.
The killer was said to have picked up the knife as Billy Joe was “straddling” him but was “not aware of any contact” being made with the knife.
Mr Findlay: “Dean Ferguson accepts that there are other steps that he could have taken. The blow that he struck took a life.”
Mr Findlay told sentencing: “An incident occurred in which responsibility can be held at the door of each and tragic consequences followed.
“Clearly there was no long running feud – it was not something that needed to happen and should not have happened.”
