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Liam Aitchison murder: Western Isles killers jailed for life | Liam Aitchison murder: Western Isles killers jailed for life |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Two men have been jailed for life for the first murder on the Western Isles in more than 40 years. | Two men have been jailed for life for the first murder on the Western Isles in more than 40 years. |
Liam Aitchison, 16, from South Uist, was beaten, stabbed and stripped of clothing during the attack on 23 November 2011. | Liam Aitchison, 16, from South Uist, was beaten, stabbed and stripped of clothing during the attack on 23 November 2011. |
His body was found in a derelict property in Steinish on Lewis. | His body was found in a derelict property in Steinish on Lewis. |
Johnathan MacKinnon and Stefan Millar, both 22, have each been ordered to spend a minimum of 18 years in prison before they can apply for parole. | Johnathan MacKinnon and Stefan Millar, both 22, have each been ordered to spend a minimum of 18 years in prison before they can apply for parole. |
The judge, Lord Kinclaven, said the men had robbed Liam of his life and devastated his family. | The judge, Lord Kinclaven, said the men had robbed Liam of his life and devastated his family. |
Lord Kinclaven said Liam's family had made statements about the impact of the crime on them, showing their "grief, stress and anguish". | |
The judge said that nothing the court could do or say could compensate. | |
Liam's father Norrie Aitchison and his wife, Claire, arrived at the High Court in Edinburgh wearing jackets bearing the teenager's photograph and the slogan: "Shine on our Crazy Diamond. RIP Liam." | |
Outside the court, Mrs Aitchison said: "We are happy that justice has been done and that these two brutal murderers will spend a long time in prison. | |
"We believe, however, that they are getting off lightly - life imprisonment should mean life. | |
"They killed an innocent boy in cold blood but, by the time they leave jail, they will still be young enough to make plans for the rest of their lives." | |
Mrs Aitchison also thanked people of the Western Isles for the "incredible support" which had helped the family during their ordeal. | |
MacKinnon and Millar denied murder, but were found guilty by a jury at the High Court in Glasgow. | |
Liam had socialised with Millar and MacKinnon after he started living in Stornoway on Lewis. The three had worked in the fishing industry. | Liam had socialised with Millar and MacKinnon after he started living in Stornoway on Lewis. The three had worked in the fishing industry. |
The court heard that on 23 November, Millar and MacKinnon - who were from Lewis, but moved to Elgin and Inverness while on bail - had fought with Liam. | The court heard that on 23 November, Millar and MacKinnon - who were from Lewis, but moved to Elgin and Inverness while on bail - had fought with Liam. |
There were claims that Liam had stolen a bottle of aftershave from MacKinnon. | There were claims that Liam had stolen a bottle of aftershave from MacKinnon. |
Almost two weeks after he was last seen alive by his girlfriend and other friends, Liam's body was found in a derelict RAF building at Steinish, near Stornoway Airport. | Almost two weeks after he was last seen alive by his girlfriend and other friends, Liam's body was found in a derelict RAF building at Steinish, near Stornoway Airport. |
He had been struck on the head and body with a knife and bottle, and his head had been stamped on. | He had been struck on the head and body with a knife and bottle, and his head had been stamped on. |
The court heard that Liam had been stabbed 20 times. | The court heard that Liam had been stabbed 20 times. |
Liam Murphy, procurator fiscal for the north of Scotland, said the murder had caused "shock and concern" on Lewis. | Liam Murphy, procurator fiscal for the north of Scotland, said the murder had caused "shock and concern" on Lewis. |
He added: "Thankfully, murders in this part of the country are very rare. | He added: "Thankfully, murders in this part of the country are very rare. |
"I hope that these murder convictions reassure those communities that when we do have such crimes, justice will be done." | "I hope that these murder convictions reassure those communities that when we do have such crimes, justice will be done." |
The previous murder on the Western Isles had been the killing of 80-year-old Mary Mackenzie at her cottage at Brue, on Lewis, in 1968. | The previous murder on the Western Isles had been the killing of 80-year-old Mary Mackenzie at her cottage at Brue, on Lewis, in 1968. |
There was a murder inquiry in 2006 after Murdo MacDonald, 56, was beaten by three men in Stornoway, on Lewis, and later died from his injuries. | There was a murder inquiry in 2006 after Murdo MacDonald, 56, was beaten by three men in Stornoway, on Lewis, and later died from his injuries. |
However, the charges against Mr MacDonald's attackers were later reduced to serious assault. | However, the charges against Mr MacDonald's attackers were later reduced to serious assault. |