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Teenager convicted of fire murder | Teenager convicted of fire murder |
(1 day 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. | 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". | 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. | "We want to thank the police and the prosecution for bringing Blackburn to justice today for his wicked actions," they said. |
"We also want to thank Ricci Foreman for trying to save Jessica - we will always be grateful to him for his bravery. | "We also want to thank Ricci Foreman for trying to save Jessica - we will always be grateful to him for his bravery. |
A police officer reads the family statement outside court | A police officer reads the family statement outside court |
"Jessica was the baby of the family. We miss everything about her and we always will." | "Jessica was the baby of the family. We miss everything about her and we always will." |
The court heard evidence which suggested that after an argument Blackburn had poured petrol over his victim, set it alight and held a door closed to prevent Jessica escaping from the blaze in the bedroom. | The court heard evidence which suggested that after an argument Blackburn had poured petrol over his victim, set it alight and held a door closed to prevent 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. |
The attack left Jessica, a former pupil at Arbroath High School, with burns on up to 85% of her body. She died later the same day at Dundee's Ninewells Hospital. | The attack left Jessica, a former pupil at Arbroath High School, with burns on up to 85% of her body. She died later the same day at Dundee's Ninewells Hospital. |
The court heard that her final words, spoken to her father hours earlier, were: "I don't want to die, dad - I love you." | The court heard that her final words, spoken to her father hours earlier, were: "I don't want to die, dad - I love you." |
Blackburn - who will be sentenced next month - denied murder but had admitted culpable homicide. | 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. | Judge Lord Bracadale said he had shown a degree of wickedness that would "deeply disturb" all right-thinking people. |
Some evidence centred on whether the bedroom door had been held closed | Some evidence centred on whether the bedroom door had been held closed |
Prosecutor Frank Mulholland QC described Blackburn's crime as a "barbaric and evil act against a defenceless young woman". | Prosecutor Frank Mulholland QC described Blackburn's crime as a "barbaric and evil act against a defenceless young woman". |
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 Iain Wales, who led the murder inquiry, said Blackburn showed "no concern about Jessica whatsoever". | 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. | ''It is impossible for us to truly comprehend what Jessica endured," he said. |
It is a tragedy when a young life is ended so suddenly and so utterly needlessly Det Insp Iain WalesTayside Police | |
''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. | ''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." | ''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. | 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." |