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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Youth jailed for pensioner murder | Youth jailed for pensioner murder |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A West Lothian teenager who repeatedly shot a grandfather in the head, leaving him in a pool of blood, has been given a life sentence. | A West Lothian teenager who repeatedly shot a grandfather in the head, leaving him in a pool of blood, has been given a life sentence. |
| James Kerr, 18, fired three shots at Thomas Nicoll from point blank range in the pensioner's Winchburgh home, reloading after each shot. | James Kerr, 18, fired three shots at Thomas Nicoll from point blank range in the pensioner's Winchburgh home, reloading after each shot. |
| He also hit his 72-year-old victim in the face with the butt of his airgun. | He also hit his 72-year-old victim in the face with the butt of his airgun. |
| At the High Court in Edinburgh, Kerr was told he must serve at least 13 years before he can apply for parole. | At the High Court in Edinburgh, Kerr was told he must serve at least 13 years before he can apply for parole. |
| The court heard Kerr's ex-girlfriend had claimed the pensioner had molested her - allegations which were "vehemently denied". | The court heard Kerr's ex-girlfriend had claimed the pensioner had molested her - allegations which were "vehemently denied". |
| READ THE REPORT class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/18_01_08_federick.pdf">Report into James Kerr's case [29KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader href="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html">Download the reader here | |
| A police investigation found no evidence to support the claims. | A police investigation found no evidence to support the claims. |
| In passing a mandatory life sentence, Judge Lady Dorrian told Kerr, who pleaded guilty to murder, that it had been a "brutal and savage" attack. | In passing a mandatory life sentence, Judge Lady Dorrian told Kerr, who pleaded guilty to murder, that it had been a "brutal and savage" attack. |
| She said: "It must be viewed as a deliberate and violent attack on an elderly man in his own home." | She said: "It must be viewed as a deliberate and violent attack on an elderly man in his own home." |
| A lone cry of "evil" from the public gallery was heard as Kerr was led away to begin his sentence. | A lone cry of "evil" from the public gallery was heard as Kerr was led away to begin his sentence. |
| Mr Nicoll had retired from his job as a chauffeur and gardener in 1996 and, at the time of his death in August 2007, worked part-time as a "door greeter" at McDonald's in Newbridge. | Mr Nicoll had retired from his job as a chauffeur and gardener in 1996 and, at the time of his death in August 2007, worked part-time as a "door greeter" at McDonald's in Newbridge. |
| Solicitor advocate John Keenan, defending, said Kerr wished to state in court his "very great remorse" for the murder. | Solicitor advocate John Keenan, defending, said Kerr wished to state in court his "very great remorse" for the murder. |
| He said: "He does appreciate the consequences of what he has done and the very substantial sorrow he has brought to the family of the deceased." | He said: "He does appreciate the consequences of what he has done and the very substantial sorrow he has brought to the family of the deceased." |