This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/8390580.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
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 on a unanimous verdict after a 10-day trial at the High Court in Livingston. 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.
He denied murder, but had admitted culpable homicide. Sentence was deferred for background reports. Jessica's parents said their daughter had been murdered in a "terrible and terrifying way".
The judge Lord Bracadale said Blackburn had shown a degree of wickedness that would leave all right-thinking people deeply disturbed. "We want to thank the police and the prosecution for bringing Blackburn to justice today for his wicked actions," they said.
Prosecutor Frank Mulholland QC described Blackburn's crime as a "barbaric and evil act against a defenceless young woman". Jessica was the baby of the family. We miss everything about her and we always will Family statement
He really showed no concern about Jessica whatsoever. He changed his story several times. It was quite clear he told a number of lies Det Insp Ian WalesTayside Police "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."
Det Insp Ian Wales of Tayside Police said police officers heard screaming coming from the close when they arrived at the scene. It is a tragedy when a young life is ended so suddenly and so utterly needlessly Det Insp Ian WalesTayside Police
When they entered they found Jessica's father and another man trying to pull Jessica out of the flat, which was heavily engulfed in smoke. Det Insp Iain Wales, who led the murder inquiry, said Blackburn showed "no concern about Jessica whatsoever".
Some evidence centred on whether the bedroom door had been held closed ''It is impossible for us to truly comprehend what Jessica endured," he said.
"Quite horrific circumstances. Jessica was pulled out from the flat and quickly taken to Ninewells Hospital where sadly she succumbed to her injuries later that day," 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.
Det Insp Wales said Blackburn showed "no concern about Jessica whatsoever". ''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."
"He changed his story several times. It was quite clear he told a number of lies. Neighbour Denise Stephenson described Blackburn as being violent and said she often heard him arguing with Jessica.
"His theory about how the fire started changed and changed and changed until on the Sunday evening he admitted he had thrown the petrol can at Jessica.
"That was a deliberate act. There is no way that was an accident," he said.
Several people had been involved in the efforts to try to save Jessica's life.
Neighbour Denise Stephenson said: "I couldn't get close enough on the other side to see her, which was maybe just as well because of the way she was badly burnt.
"She had the white cover from the paramedics round her at that time and her dad was beside her."
She 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."