Two men who believed they "got away with murder" in a dispute with a neighbour have been jailed for life with a minimum of 14 years each.

Former pub landlord Harry Hood and Ross Russell attacked Arthur Green at his home in Prestwick, South Ayrshire, in November 2014.

A jury heard how Hood's elderly mother and father claimed they had endured years of hassle from 60-year-old Mr Green and his family.

Hood, 46, flew into a rage when it emerged the couple's window had been smashed.

He was joined by his 35-year-old friend Russell in punching, kicking and stamping Mr Green to death.

Jailing the pair on Thursday, judge Bill Dunlop QC criticised South Ayrshire Council for its handling of the case.

He said: "The reaction of the council which I heard was disturbing.

"That they (the Hoods) should make themselves homeless and move to an area away from the place they loved living in and to leave their home was frankly disappointing, wholly inadequate and on one view, cruel.

"That failure to act on the part of the council was explained to the court as due to there being no corroboration, as a lawyer I can say that's nonsense.

"I am afraid I am driven to conclude that the council went for the easy option, persuading the good guys to move would be simple and more straightforward than evicting those causing the trouble."

Mr Green's young grandson discovered his body the next day.

The duo boasted they had "got away with murder" after police initially believed Mr Green had fallen.

During a fresh investigation, however, Hood and Russell were held by detectives.

Hood's father, Harry Snr, 76, told how Mr Green had been a "nightmare" to live beside.

The pensioner said his street had been a "lovely neighbourhood" for him and 72-year-old wife Sadie.

That changed "big time" when Mr Green moved in around four years ago, he sa_d_.

Mr Hood Snr said the "24/7" noise was "horrendous" and a dog barked at "all hours".

He told the court: "I blame him (Mr Green) because he was inviting the people there. He was just a neighbour from hell."

The OAP ended up keeping a log of their problems, with police and the council being called in.

Initially, police believed Mr Green had suffered an accident. This led to Hood attending the garage where Russell worked as a mechanic where the pair boasted about the attack.

Russell was said to have said they had "got away with murder" as the jury heard both were "laughing about it".

He also told a workmate they had attacked Mr Green, which led to his colleague tipping off the police in an anonymous call.

Amid a new probe, Hood, of Ayr, and Russell, of Maidens, both South Ayrshire, were arrested.

At the trial, both men effectively blamed each other.

Hood, a pool hall owner who previously ran bars in Ayrshire, denied even being inside Mr Green's house.

He admitted going to the street that night with the Russell brothers but only to make sure there was no "carry on" affecting his parents.

Russell told jurors Hood attacked Mr Green "in a blind rage" but both were convicted.