Glasgow woman faces life in jail for murdering husband

A Glasgow woman faces a life sentence for the brutal murder of her husband.

Lorna Middleton, 36, stabbed William Middleton, 38, in the heart at their flat in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire on June 26 2020.

Middleton was raging after claiming William - known as Billy - had not "stuck up" for her in a row she had with a man.

William was found dead lying in a pool of blood by police later that night with two knives nearby.

His killer wife later remarked to officers: "Revenge is a dish best served cold."

Middleton - a mum of four - was convicted at the High Court in Glasgow of murder.

She had lodged a special defence of 'self-defence'.

Lord Clark remanded her in custody and deferred the case until next month when Middleton will discover the minimum she will spend behind bars.

The court heard the Middletons had people at their flat the night before the death.

Witnesses claimed Middleton got into a fight with stranger Kieran Spence.

The pair got into an argument which became more physical and a bottle was apparently thrown by Middleton.

Neighbour James Long said Lorna later argued with Billy after he didn't "back her up" in the argument.

The 32-year-old stated he also saw Lorna punching Billy "a couple of times on the head" but he did not react.

He added: “They were good punches, not to knock him out but he was more upset.

“When he was getting hit, he was sitting crying.”

William briefly left the flat before returning. He was eventually alone with his wife.

Mr Long's partner Samantha Jackson, 28, stated that she heard Lorna shout "help me" or "someone help me" around 20 minutes later.

PC Scott Trabathan and a colleague were dealing with another matter when they traced screaming to the couple's flat.

The officers had to force entry and prosecutor Derick Nelson asked PC Trabathan what they discovered.

He said: “I saw a man lying on the floor on his back unresponsive with a female lying beside him.

“I asked if he was okay and there was no response.”

“She was lying beside the man holding him in her arms, screaming.”

Middleton was arrested and held at a police station.

While there, she stated to an officer: 'How is my husband, is he dead, I know he is dead, I saw his eyes were open just tell me'."

She also made reference to "revenge is a dish served cold".

WIlliam died from a stab wound to the chest. His other injuries included a fractured neck, a broken rib and scratches to his face.

Middleton told jurors in evidence that she was attacked by her husband when they were left alone in the flat.

She claimed she tried to walk out on him after he apparently went back on a decision to move to Dumbarton.

Middleton claimed she tried to leave the flat but was grabbed by the hair by Billy who allegedly hit her.

She claimed her next memory was lying on the floor beside her bleeding husband.

But, Middleton insisted to have no recollection how it happened.

It emerged after the verdict Middleton already had a previous conviction for violence.

Donald Findlay QC, defending, today/yesterday said: "Lorna Middleton has never had much in life. The only thing they had was each other.

"It had its ups and downs and has ended in tragedy."

Detective Inspector Erin Renwick, of the Major Investigation Team, said:

"I want to thank members of the public who responded well to our enquiries during the challenges of the coronavirus restrictions at that time.

"The nature of this case made it especially difficult for those affected by it, and we hope today's verdict brings some comfort to Mr Middleton's family."

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