Life for man who murdered neighbour in row about dog
Martin Carroll sentenced to a minimum of 14 years after he admitted stabbing to death Stephen Gannon in Springburn
A man who murdered his neighbour following a row over a dog's toilet habits has been sentenced to life.
28 year old Martin Carroll lost his temper after seeing a woman allow her dog to urinate in the tenement which they shared in Springburn, Glasgow, last year.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard Carroll shouted at the woman because he has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
The court heard that Carroll was concerned about the potential risks to human health.
However, the court heard how the female's friend Stephen Gannon, 36, confronted Carroll about his conduct towards her.
Carroll - who has a 666 tattoo - then argued with Mr Gannon - the confrontation ended when Carroll repeatedly stabbed Mr Gannon in the neck with a large knife.
defence advocate Victoria Young told judge Lord Turnbull that her client suffered from OCD and anxiety.
Speaking moments before her client received a life sentence, Ms Young added: "The matter related to dog fouling. Mr Carroll reacted more strongly to this than what the average person would have done."
Carroll, of Springburn, Glasgow, had pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow last month to murdering Mr Gannon on August 14 2015.
Sentence had been deferred on Carroll for the court to obtain reports.
At earlier proceedings, prosecutor Ross McFarlane told the court that Mr Gannon lived downstairs from Carroll at the flats in St Monance Street.
The killer had a disagreement earlier in the year with another neighbour about her dog misbehaving.
On August 14 2015, Mr Gannon was chatting to the dog owner, who wasn't named, inside the tenement when Carroll walked by.
The court heard that Carroll was already wanted by the police at the time in connection with an attack on his mother.
Mr Ganon followed him and shouted: "Don't you be giving abuse to the woman in in my close."
Carroll initially ignored the comment - but then turned and confronted his neighbour.
Mr McFarlane said: "In a sudden movement, Carroll produced a large knife and struck out a number of times.
The court heard the victim collapsed in the street soaked with blood.
An upset Carroll then went to his granny's house and said: "Something's happened. I've done something stupid."
He was shortly arrested afterwards.
Ms Young told the court that her client regrets his actions.
She added: "Mr Carroll knows there is nothing that I can say that can mitigate the consequences of his actions and the impact that Mr Gannon's death has had on his family and friends.
"He can only offer his genuine remorse."
Passing sentence, Lord Turnbull told Carroll that he would have to serve at least 14 years in custody before he could apply for parole.
He added: "Your release from custody is not a matter for this court. It is a matter for the parole board of Scotland."