Two convicted of killing vulnerable woman in Port Glasgow

Two men killed a vulnerable woman - before one used her bank card to try to buy a takeaway meal.

Allan Docherty, 34, and Weir McKay, 44, were convicted of a fatal attack on Karen Young.

The High Court in Glasgow heard that Karen was strangled and also hit on the head with a metal pole and hammer by Docherty, who was convicted of murdering her.

His co-accused McKay was found guilty of the lesser charge of culpable homicide by inflicting blunt force injuries on her.

Callous McKay was branded "utterly indifferent" towards Karen as jurors heard he stole her bank card and tried to get dinner at a local Chinese restaurant after the killing.

The attack occurred on June 9, 2017 at Docherty's flat in Port Glasgow.

Karen, who was described as having a number of personal issues, had been accused of stealing an item from the flat.

Police turned up at the flat after a 999 call and found Karen lying on the floor.

Docherty was said to have shown "sham concerns" towards the mum.

During the call, he was heard stating: "Wake up, honey. There is an ambulance coming."

Docherty told police he had only recently met Karen and could not explain why she was there.

After being told she was dead, he held his head in his hands and shouted: "F, f, no.”

The court heard that the main cause of her death was neck injuries and her larynx was fractured.

Jurors heard there had been a "delay" in dialling 999.

Prosecutor Lisa Gillespie told the trial: "That was the actions of a man with something to hide."

The advocate depute said McKay had been "acting in concert" with Docherty.

He had steered a housing officer away from the flat as Karen lay dying.

Miss Gillespie: "He was trying to conceal what was happening to Karen Young. He said his explanation for sending the housing officer away was panic."

It was claimed McKay went on to rummage through and steal Karen's bag. He was then said to have tried to use her bank card at local shops.

Miss Gillespie: "So panicked was he that he thought he had better cheer himself up with a Chinese takeaway.

"These were actions of someone who could not care about Karen Young. He was utterly indifferent to the woman."

Docherty, of Kelburn Terrace, and McKay, of Marloch Avenue, both Port Glasgow, will be sentenced later this month.

Docherty is facing a life sentence. Judge Lady Stacey will determine how many years he will spend in jail before being eligible for parole.