Life for dog walker murder youth

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A teenager who stabbed a dog walker when tried to stop him stealing a car has been given a life sentence for murder.

Byron Cooper, 16, from Darvel, East Ayrshire, was convicted of attacking George Stewart, 62, in the town's Ranoldcoup Road exactly a year ago.

He died at his home after being stabbed in the head, chest and arms.

Judge Lord Kinclaven said Cooper should serve a minimum of 16 years before being eligible for parole.

Sentencing him at the High Court in Edinburgh, the judge said being drunk was "no excuse" for the killing.

Speaking outside court, Mr Stewart's partner Dorothy Williamson described him as "a lovely man" and said: "Lord Kinclaven did his duty."

You will have to live with the consequences of your actions for the rest of your life Judge Lord Kinclaven

She added: "It's been the longest and most depressing year I have ever spent. I'll carry on but it will be really hard."

Ms Williamson told how she found happiness with Mr Stewart after they both lost their partners.

The pair had returned from a holiday together shortly before he was killed.

Ms Williamson said she had hoped for Cooper to get a minimum sentence of 18 years but described the outcome of the hearing as a "good result".

She also said she hoped people would start to think about the consequences of carrying a knife.

She said: "If you carry one that's what will happen to you. You will go to court, you'll get caught, you'll go to prison and you'll suffer."

'Strong remorse'

A jury convicted Cooper of murder following a trial at the High Court in Kilmarnock.

Mr Stewart, who had been walking his dog, confronted the teenager when he saw him trying to steal a car.

Trainee painter Cooper, who had been due to join the Army, stabbed Mr Stewart seven times.

Defence counsel Gordon Jackson QC told the court his client felt "strong remorse" about what happened and said he had not gone out with the intention of doing what he did.

The judge told the teenager: "The weapon used was a knife that was being deliberately carried.

"The result is a tragedy. Mr Stewart lost his life, his family are understandably distraught.

"You will have to live with the consequences of your actions for the rest of your life."