Man who beat neighbour to death in Galston found guilty of murder

A man has been convicted of murdering his neighbour in Galston after a row over noise.

William Nimmo, 34, climbed over a six foot fence to get to 56-year-old Robert Clelland - who was known as Stuart – and then brutally beat him, fracturing his skull, breaking his ribs and inflicting horrific facial fractures.

Seconds before the attack Nimmo shouted at slightly-built Mr Clelland: "Who the f are you talking to, you fing clown. What I do in my property has f*** all to do with you.”

Mr Clelland told Nimmo: “I'm trying to be nice,” and then as the beating began he pleaded “Leave me, leave me.”

Nimmo was found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow of murdering Mr Clelland in the East Ayrshire village just before midnight on July 23, 2019.

The court heard that Nimmo, who is 6ft 2in and weighed 16 stone at the time, had been playing music and using power tools in the garden of his mother Brenda's Smith's home where he was staying.

He went into a rage when Mr Clelland, a former shoe factory foreman, who was working shifts confronted him about the noise.

In evidence, Nimmo admitted killing Mr Clelland, but denied murdering him and claimed that Mr Clelland struck the first blow.

The court heard that after the attack Nimmo drove off in Mr Clelland's van before abandoning it in a nearby street.

When asked by defence QC Tony Mr Graham why he did that Nimmo said: “I went for a joyride.”

He then asked why he had gone over the wall to confront Mr Clelland, who was a stranger to him, and replied: "I was angry because he was making an issue out of nothing.”

Mr Graham said: “What did you intend to do,” and Nimmo replied: “Argue and have a fight.

Judge Lord Mulholland told Nimmo: “This was a brutal murder on a man who was of slim frame and had done nothing to you other than telling you to keep the noise down.

“Be under no illusions about what is coming your way.”

Nimmo, who has 24 previous convictions, including five for violence. will serve a life sentence for murder and the punishment part will be determined next month at the High Court in Livingston.

Pathologist Dr John Williams said that Mr Clelland died from blunt force trauma

Prosecutor Graeme (correct) Jessop asked the pathologist: “How many blows would there have been to his head and face,” and he replied: “I would say a minimum of six blows to the face and a minimum of a further four blows to the head.”

Mr Clelland's body was found hours later lying in the hallway of his home. At his head, at the front door and in the courtyard there were pools of blood.

Nimmo was cleared during the trial of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by dragging Mr Clellands body from the courtyard into the hallway of his home.

Detective Chief Inspector Alan Sommerville, the senior investigating officer said: “This was a brutal attack and one that has left Stewart’s family absolutely devastated. Hopefully today’s verdict will give them some closure and comfort in the knowledge that William Nimmo has been brought to account for his actions.

“I would also like to thank those who assisted with vital information in relation to our investigation."

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