Man sentenced to life in jail for murdering disabled man
Mark McConville killed William Duncan in Glasgow's Sandyhills in 2022
Last updated 20th Jul 2023
A killer who murdered a disabled man leaving him bound and gagged in his own home has been jailed for a minimum 18 years.
Mark McConville, 39, turned on William Duncan during the horror attack at the flat in Glasgow's Sandyhills.
The trussed-up 55 year-old - who used crutches having previously had his leg amputated - was eventually discovered by police with a sock stuffed into his mouth.
He had also been struck with a knife.
McConville was today handed a life sentence at the High Court in Glasgow.
He had earlier been convicted after a trial in Edinburgh of the murder.
The crime is said to have occurred between January 21 and February 3 2022.
Lord Armstrong told him: "You tied a ligature around his arms and wrists restraining him.
"You inserted a sock into his mouth to gag him and secured it with a further ligature.
"A pillow was put over his head causing him to suffocate and die.
"Your victim was a vulnerable person who lived alone in his own home where he was entitled to feel secure.
"I have no doubt that William Duncan's relatives are deeply affected by this and that, I suspect, no sentence will be sufficient in their eyes."
Jurors heard how police had to force entry to the victim's home on February 3 and found him lying face down on a bed.
DNA helped snare McConville as his was discovered on Mr Duncan's top, which could have been caused by him picking up or dragging the man.
It was also found on laces used to bind Mr Duncan as well as on the pillow.
Prosecutors stated it may never been known why the killing occurred.
The court was told today that McConville maintains his innocence.