Sailor Killed Stranger With A Single Punch After Casino Loss
A thug sailor killed a man with a single punch - minutes after blowing £1,000 on roulette.
Kallum Delaney, 20, flew into a rage and stormed out of Glasgow's Riverboat Casino after losing the cash.
He soon encountered stranger Robin Thomson, 27, smashing him in the face with one punch in an apparently motiveless attack.
Tragic Robin died in hospital after hitting his head as a result of the heavy blow.
Delaney was later held at the Faslane Naval Base where he was stationed - but told police: "I am not a bad person".
It lead to the dad-of-one standing trial at the High Court in Glasgow charged with culpable homicide.
But, Delaney tried to pin the blame on Robin claiming he only lashed out as he reckoned his innocent victim was going to hit him.
However, the jury convicted Delaney and he now faces a jail-term when he is sentenced next month.
The trial heard how the killer and his navy friend Oliver James had gone to the Riverboat Casino in the early hours of September 23 last year.
Karen Turner - who was working there that night - described Delaney as "agitated" as he went on to repeatedly squander cash on the roulette tables.
The witness added: "He seemed upset. It seemed like he was in quite a bit of distress.
"I heard him say that he had lost £1,000."
CCTV footage played in court showed Delaney later stomping out of the casino around 5am appearing to be in an angry mood.
His friend Mr James told the jury: "By not wanting to walk with me, I could tell that he was annoyed with me.
"He had said: "why did you let me lose money?'. The more he lost, the more bets he put on."
The court heard that Robin Thomson - originally from Perth - had also been at the casino that night.
He had even sat at the same roulette table as Delaney, but did not interact with him.
Footage showed Robin leaving the casino to head home as Delaney and Mr James chatted outside in the street.
Just minutes later, the popular cafe worker was struck in a random attack which would end his life.
He was walking in the city's Midland Street - close to the then Arches nightclub - when Delaney happened to be beside him.
Delaney was there looking for a cheap taxi to take him back to the Faslane base near Helensburgh. He had stormed off from Mr James having refused to pay a £50 fare.
The thug then delivered a fatal blow before leaving his victim for dead.
Recalling the attack, Mr James - who had been behind his friend - told the jury: "As they walked along I saw Kallum hit him and he (Robin) went down.
"Once Kallum had done it he looked shocked. I told him to go. I went over to the lad just expecting him to get up, but he was unconscious."
Robin was soon rushed to the city's Royal Infirmary, but he died two days later.
He suffered a fracture to his neck resulting in damage to his spinal cord. This starved his brain of oxygen and blood.
Robin also had a broken nose caused by the vicious attack.
As a probe was launched to catch the culprit, Delaney was later arrested at Faslane.
He had initially told his petty officer: "I have hit someone and I think it is bad. I did not know that I had it in me."
Delaney went on to claim to police: "I am not a bad person."
He gave evidence during the trial and said he had spoken to Robin in Midland Street, but only to ask where to get a taxi.
Delaney then claimed Robin swore at him before the victim apparently challenged him to a fight.
Delaney admitted he struck out, but only because he felt "threatened" as he thought Robin was going to punch him first.
The killer also denied being annoyed at losing cash at the casino.
But, prosecutor Sheena Fraser put to him: "You were blaming Oliver James for losing the money and you are now blaming Robin Thomson for you hitting him."
Delaney: "No."
Judge Lord Glennie continued bail for Delaney until sentencing on September 17 in Edinburgh.
Delaney remains with the Royal Navy, but has latterly been based at RAF Honington in Suffolk doing electrical engineering work.
Robin's family - including his mum Pauline and his sister Claire - hugged and wept as Delaney was found guilty.
They were too upset to comment after the hearing.
In online tributes, Robin - known as Rob - was described as "a fun, hilarious, genuine and open hearted person".
Relatives and friends have raised more than £65,000 for charity in his memory since the tragic death.
This included a five-figure sum for the intensive care unit at Glasgow's Royal Infirmary, where Robin was treated.
Some of Robin's organs were also donated for transplant use