21/08/2007

Men Jailed For Life For Stranger's Murder

Two men who murdered a stranger in Glasgow were jailed for life on Monday.

Glasgow High Court heard how Matthew McFadden, 22, smashed Robert Gardener's skull with a paving stone, while Andrew Spark, 23, stabbed him as he lay dying in the street on April 30, 2006.

Mr Gardener, 36, had been walking to his girlfriend's home in Port Glasgow when he encountered the two men. The court heard how he had refused to give them drink from his carry-out and they attacked him.

A pathologist said that Mr Gardener was probably hit four or five times with the paving stone, which fractured his skull and caused brain damage. They also said that he had been stabbed once.

The court heard how McFadden had shouted 'Die you bastard' as he launched his attack.

At sentencing, Lord Hardie said that this phrase indicated that it was McFadden's intention to kill Mr Gardener. He said: "It was a murderous attack and clearly wicked and reckless to bring a heavy piece of concrete down on a person's head."

McFadden was sentenced to a minimum of 20 years behind bars, while Spark was sentenced to a minimum of 15 years. Both men had denied murder.

(KMcA/SP)

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