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Teenager convicted of fire murder | Teenager convicted of fire murder |
(30 minutes later) | |
A teenager who killed his girlfriend by dousing her in petrol and setting her alight has been found guilty of murder. | A teenager who killed his girlfriend by dousing her in petrol and setting her alight has been found guilty of murder. |
Stewart Blackburn, 18, was convicted by a unanimous verdict after a 10-day trial at the High Court in Livingston. | |
His girlfriend Jessica McCagh, 17, died in hospital on 25 April after the attack at the Arbroath flat she shared with Blackburn. | His girlfriend Jessica McCagh, 17, died in hospital on 25 April after the attack at the Arbroath flat she shared with Blackburn. |
Jessica's parents said their daughter had been murdered in a "terrible and terrifying way". | |
"We want to thank the police and the prosecution for bringing Blackburn to justice today for his wicked actions," they said. | |
Jessica was the baby of the family. We miss everything about her and we always will Family statement | |
"We also want to thank Ricci Foreman for trying to save Jessica - we will always be grateful to him for his bravery. | |
"Jessica was the baby of the family. We miss everything about her and we always will." | |
Blackburn - who will be sentenced next month - denied murder but had admitted culpable homicide. | |
Judge Lord Bracadale said he had shown a degree of wickedness that would "deeply disturb" all right-thinking people. | |
Summing up on Tuesday, prosecutor Frank Mulholland QC described Blackburn's crime as a "barbaric and evil act against a defenceless young woman". | |
Some evidence centred on whether the bedroom door had been held closed | |
The court heard evidence that suggested Blackburn had poured petrol over his victim, set it alight and prevented Jessica escaping from the blaze in the bedroom. | The court heard evidence that suggested Blackburn had poured petrol over his victim, set it alight and prevented Jessica escaping from the blaze in the bedroom. |
He had claimed that the fire started from burning embers dropping from a cannabis cigarette. | He had claimed that the fire started from burning embers dropping from a cannabis cigarette. |
But expert witnesses told the court that was very unlikely and produced evidence to indicate the petrol must have been lit by a naked flame. | But expert witnesses told the court that was very unlikely and produced evidence to indicate the petrol must have been lit by a naked flame. |
Speaking after the verdict, Tom Dysart, area procurator fiscal for Tayside, said it was a crime that had "provoked outrage" in Arbroath and across Scotland. | Speaking after the verdict, Tom Dysart, area procurator fiscal for Tayside, said it was a crime that had "provoked outrage" in Arbroath and across Scotland. |
"Jessica's family and friends not only have to live with her tragic loss, but also to carry the knowledge of the terrible circumstances in which she died. | "Jessica's family and friends not only have to live with her tragic loss, but also to carry the knowledge of the terrible circumstances in which she died. |
"I hope that they can take some comfort from the jury's verdict, and from the fact that Stewart Blackburn has now been brought to justice." | "I hope that they can take some comfort from the jury's verdict, and from the fact that Stewart Blackburn has now been brought to justice." |
It is a tragedy when a young life is ended so suddenly and so utterly needlessly Det Insp Ian WalesTayside Police | |
Det Insp Iain Wales, who led the murder inquiry, said Blackburn showed "no concern about Jessica whatsoever". | |
''It is impossible for us to truly comprehend what Jessica endured," he said. | |
''What I am sure of, however, is that Blackburn fully understood the consequences of his actions, acted without a glimmer of fear or compassion and ultimately showed a contemptible disregard for the agonies of someone he claimed to care for. | |
''Jessica was a young girl on the threshold of adulthood - someone with everything to live for. It is a tragedy when a young life is ended so suddenly and so utterly needlessly." | |
Neighbour Denise Stephenson described Blackburn as being violent and said she often heard him arguing with Jessica. | |
"He was pretty vicious, but I didn't expect him to go to the lengths that he did," she added. | "He was pretty vicious, but I didn't expect him to go to the lengths that he did," she added. |
"Poor Jessica." | "Poor Jessica." |