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Murderer Graeme McLaren impaled James Small on walking stick | Murderer Graeme McLaren impaled James Small on walking stick |
(about 20 hours later) | |
A 47-year-old man who impaled his neighbour with a walking stick has been found guilty of murder. | |
Graeme McLaren attacked James Small in the 64-year-old's flat in Greenock, on 5 June, after allegedly seeing him semi-naked with a female friend. | Graeme McLaren attacked James Small in the 64-year-old's flat in Greenock, on 5 June, after allegedly seeing him semi-naked with a female friend. |
The High Court in Glasgow heard Mr Small suffered damage to his bowel and liver after his metal stick was rammed 12 inches into his body. | The High Court in Glasgow heard Mr Small suffered damage to his bowel and liver after his metal stick was rammed 12 inches into his body. |
McLaren faces a mandatory life term when he is sentenced at a later date. | McLaren faces a mandatory life term when he is sentenced at a later date. |
Temporary judge Rita Rae QC described the unprovoked attack on Mr Small as "motiveless". | Temporary judge Rita Rae QC described the unprovoked attack on Mr Small as "motiveless". |
Brutal murder | Brutal murder |
She told McLaren: "It's difficult to comprehend the level of brutality that must have been involved in inflicting serious injuries on a defenceless old man." | She told McLaren: "It's difficult to comprehend the level of brutality that must have been involved in inflicting serious injuries on a defenceless old man." |
During his trial, McLaren denied attacking his neighbour and claimed someone else must have got hold of the walking stick which was found stained with the victim's blood. | During his trial, McLaren denied attacking his neighbour and claimed someone else must have got hold of the walking stick which was found stained with the victim's blood. |
He told the jury he had gone to Mr Small's home that night and found him in a state of undress with a woman he knew. | He told the jury he had gone to Mr Small's home that night and found him in a state of undress with a woman he knew. |
McLaren insisted, however, that he later left the flat and had not harmed Mr Small. | McLaren insisted, however, that he later left the flat and had not harmed Mr Small. |
The jury heard how the 64-year-old was found dead in his flat on 9 June. | The jury heard how the 64-year-old was found dead in his flat on 9 June. |
His walking stick was eventually discovered in nearby bushes with the victim's blood on it. | His walking stick was eventually discovered in nearby bushes with the victim's blood on it. |
McLaren said the last time he saw the stick was when he dumped it at bins at his home because it was "knackered" and "always rattling". | |
His defence counsel Thomas Ross asked when it was thrown away, did it have any blood on it. McLaren replied: "Not that I am aware of." | His defence counsel Thomas Ross asked when it was thrown away, did it have any blood on it. McLaren replied: "Not that I am aware of." |
The court heard from Pathologist Dr Julie McAdam who was asked how much force would have been needed to cause the internal injuries suffered by Mr Small. | The court heard from Pathologist Dr Julie McAdam who was asked how much force would have been needed to cause the internal injuries suffered by Mr Small. |
She replied: "It would have been considerable force. It would have been a forceful blow." | She replied: "It would have been considerable force. It would have been a forceful blow." |
Survivable injuries | Survivable injuries |
She added: "It would have been extremely painful." | She added: "It would have been extremely painful." |
Dr McAdam told the court that the injuries would have been survivable if medical attention had been sought, but it would have been a major operation as the bowel and the liver were pierced. | Dr McAdam told the court that the injuries would have been survivable if medical attention had been sought, but it would have been a major operation as the bowel and the liver were pierced. |
The trial also heard of a phone call McLaren made after being remanded in Low Moss prison for the murder. | The trial also heard of a phone call McLaren made after being remanded in Low Moss prison for the murder. |
He told a friend that he was "sick in the head" - but claimed in court the remark was just "banter". | He told a friend that he was "sick in the head" - but claimed in court the remark was just "banter". |
McLaren also said it was "blatant lies" that he had confessed to a man about attacking Mr Small. | McLaren also said it was "blatant lies" that he had confessed to a man about attacking Mr Small. |
The jury did not believe him and unanimously convicted him of murder. | The jury did not believe him and unanimously convicted him of murder. |
As he was taken downstairs to the cells McLaren taunted Mr Small's family by making a crying gesture towards them. | As he was taken downstairs to the cells McLaren taunted Mr Small's family by making a crying gesture towards them. |
Judge Rae who saw this said: "He made a gesture to the family of the dead man which is perhaps a reflection of the level of remorse he feels. To do that to the family is appalling." | Judge Rae who saw this said: "He made a gesture to the family of the dead man which is perhaps a reflection of the level of remorse he feels. To do that to the family is appalling." |
The judge will decide at a later date how long McLaren must serve in prison before he can apply for parole. | The judge will decide at a later date how long McLaren must serve in prison before he can apply for parole. |
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