Killer convicted after stabbing man to death in Shotts

It happened in September last year in a close in Shotts

Published 1st Oct 2019

A killer who stabbed a man to death is facing a life sentence.

33-year-old Shaun Burns was today convicted of murdering Colin Knott, 48, after a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

The fatal attack occurred in a close at a property in Shotts, North Lanarkshire on September 3 last year.

Mr Knott's body had been discovered in the early hours of the morning.

Prosecutor Graeme Jessop revealed after the verdict that Burns already had a lengthy history of violence.

The thug had 40 convictions including serious assault, possession of a knife and robbery.

Burns – who denied murder – will learn the minimum he will spend behind bars when he is sentenced on November 1 in Edinburgh.

Lord Kinclaven remanded him in custody as the case was deferred for reports.

Prosecutors had also claimed during the trial that Burns got a woman to clean blood from a knife used in the killing.

He was further said to have struggled with police as well as behaved in a threatening and abusive manner.

These allegations were withdrawn by prosecutors.

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