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Fire murderer jailed for 21 years Fire murderer jailed for 21 years
(11 minutes later)
A teenager who killed his girlfriend by dousing her in petrol and setting her alight has been sentenced to at least 21 years in prison. A teenager who killed his girlfriend by dousing her in petrol and setting her alight has been sentenced to at least 21 years behind bars.
Stewart Blackburn, 18, was convicted in December after a trial at the High Court in Livingston. Stewart Blackburn, 18, was convicted in December after a 10-day trial.
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.
The prosecutor at his trial condemned the murder as "barbaric and evil". Judge Lord Bracadale said Jessica had suffered a "terrible death" at the hands of her boyfriend.
Blackburn was convicted by a unanimous verdict after the 10-day trial. Blackburn was convicted by a unanimous verdict after a trial at the High Court in Livingston.
The jury heard evidence which suggested that Blackburn had poured petrol over Jessica after an argument.The jury heard evidence which suggested that Blackburn had poured petrol over Jessica after an argument.
Severe burns 'Barbaric act'
He then set her alight in the bedroom and held the door closed to prevent her escaping from the blaze.He then set her alight in the bedroom and held the door closed to prevent her escaping from the blaze.
Blackburn had claimed that the fire started from burning embers dropping from a cannabis cigarette.Blackburn 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.
Prosecutor Frank Mulholland QC described Blackburn's crime as a "barbaric and evil act against a defenceless young woman". At the trial, prosecutor Frank Mulholland QC described Blackburn's crime as a "barbaric and evil act against a defenceless young woman".
Blackburn had denied murder but had admitted culpable homicide. Blackburn denied murder but had admitted culpable homicide.