Thug who murdered disabled Lanarkshire man in a blaze jailed

A killer who murdered a disabled Lanarkshire man in a blaze has been jailed for at least 19 years.

Ryan Brandie (24) torched the home of Gary Gallogley in April last year – then confessed to his partner.

Brandie initially smacked the 54 year-old with his own walking stick before starting two fires at the flat in Inverness.

Tragic Gary – who moved north from Lanarkshire – died two days later in hospital after suffering severe burns.

Brandie was convicted of murder following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Lord Mulholland told him the killing was “vicious and hateful”.

The judge said: “He was a man who done you no harm. He presented no threat to you.

“For no reason, you assaulted him by striking him with his walking stick.

“This rendered him more infirm and unable to escape.

“You set two fires in his small flat – one in the bedroom and one close to where he was lying in the living room.

“The death must have been painful and horrific.”

Jurors heard during the trial how Brandie claimed he would get “17 years” for the crime.

But, imposing the life sentence, Lord Mulholland told him: “I will set the punishment part at 19 years – not the 17 years, as you thought.”

The murder occurred on April 3 last year.

Gary had been described as a “pleasant man” and a “cheeky chappie”.

Brandie's partner Rhona MacLeod lived in the same block as disabled Gary.

It is thought Brandie pounced on the defenceless victim as he believed Gary had argued with his lover.

Prosecutors stated the killer set fire to bedding and clothes at the flat.

Gary suffered 60% burns and died two days later in Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

Brandie made-up a number of claims after the murder – including he was elsewhere at the time.

This was branded “simply ridiculous” by prosecutor Bernard Ablett in his speech to jurors.

But, it emerged Brandie admitted what he had done to his stunned partner Rhona.

He told how he hit Gary before starting the fire with a lighter.

But, jurors heard Brandie then turned on her and demanded her silence.

It was also claimed he threatened to burn down her flat.

He told her: “If you grass, I will drag you into it. Just don't grass on me.”

But, Rhona was so traumatised by the confession, she eventually went to police.

Officers went on to overhear a phone conversation she then had with Brandie.

Rhona said to him: “You murdered him?”

Brandie replied: “Yeah, I did.”

CCTV from around the time also linked him to the killing.

The court was told Brandie had been jailed for assault and housebreaking in 2016 as well as other convictions for violence.