Jury urged to convict ex-soldier of murdering Paisley woman

Jurors were today urged to convict a former soldier of murdering his ex-lover.

55 year-old Gary Brown killed charity worker Alyson Watt at her home in Paisley, Renfrewshire in June last year.

The High Court in Glasgow has heard how Miss Watt had 42 stab wounds.

Brown admits killing the 52 year-old, but claims he was suffering an “abnormality of the mind” at the time.

Prosecutor Michael Meehan told jurors that Brown's earlier evidence in the trial was “self serving” and “unreliable”.

In his closing speech, he said: “What he said in the witness box is how he wants you and others to see him.

“But, when you drill down into the evidence, the reality is very different from the image.

“He killed Alyson Watt – his responsibility was not diminished. The appropriate verdict is guilty of murder.”

Brian McConnachie QC, defending, later told jurors Brown would not “walk free” or be “innocent” of the killing.

However, he said Brown should be convicted of the lesser charge of culpable homicide on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

The advocate suggested the violence – which also involved Brown attacking a 16 year-old with a hammer - could be described as “senseless savagery”.

But, Mr McConnache added the case could not be decided on “emotion” and must be on the “evidence”.

Judge Lord Summers is expected to give his legal directions on Monday before the jury is sent out to consider a verdict.