Three Men Jailed For Life Over Murder Of Dad Thomas Lamb
Three men have been sentenced to serve at least 20 years behind bars for the brutal murder of a dad in Edinburgh.
James Watson (27) had been released from a five year sentence just a week before he - along with his bother Paul (29) and their friend Gary Sim (21) - killed Thomas Lamb (pictured) in the middle of a street last September.
The trio had been out celebrating James Watson's release at the Tor Pub on Restalrig Road - but once there, Sim assaulted Mr Lamb.
Later in the evening he and his callous pals confronted the 46 year old again in the street at Restalrig Circus - stabbing him to death with a knife and garden fork.
Their victim had recently celebrated his birthday and prosecutors haven't been able to establish a motive for the crime - although it's thought there had been a minor argument over a game of pool in the pub.
On Friday, a jury convicted the three men of murder.
Judge Lord McEwan sentenced the trio to life imprisonment and ordered the three thugs to each serve a minimum of 20 years in custody.
Passing sentence, the judge added: "This was a wanton, despicable and disgraceful attack in the streets of Edinburgh which was undoubtedly fuelled by alcohol.
"None of you are of good character. Sim, you have a deplorable record.
"The penalty is fixed by law to be life. As I cannot distinguish between any of you, I shall impose the punishment part of the sentence to be 20 years."