Man who murdered ex-partner in Paisley given life sentence

A man who murdered his former partner in Paisley has been given a life sentence.

55-year-old Gary Brown repeatedly stabbed Alyson Watt at her home back on June 2 2017.

He was convicted at the High Court in Glasgow last month.

The former soldier also pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of a sixteen year old boy by repeatedly hitting him with a hammer.

He'll now serve a minimum of 27 years behind bars.

During sentencing earlier a judge told Brown at the High Court in Edinburgh: "Your behaviour was murderous and unforgivable."

Lord Summers said that Ms Watt had died at the scene and Brown had sentenced the boy, who was left profoundly disabled and barely able to communicate "to a living death".

The judge said that victim impact statements he had been provided from relatives of the deceased made "harrowing reading".

Before his conviction the High Court in Glasgow heard how Brown had been in a relationship with the charity worker for around two years beforehand, but it had ended five days prior to the murder.

On that day, Brown borrowed a key to Alyson's home from a neighbour to collect some belongings.

A short time later he carried out the attacks.

Speaking following the sentencing, Nicky Patrick, Procurator Fiscal for Homicide and Major Crime, said: “Gary Brown has been convicted of the murder of his partner Alyson Watt, an offence aggravated by abuse towards her.

“The statutory aggravation ensures that, when sentencing, the court takes into account the abuse of a partner."