Man jailed for at least 16 years over "brutal" Inverness murder

A 72-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment - and will serve a minimum 16 years - for murdering an Inverness woman in her Hilton home.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that at some point between 28th and 31st March 2016 Michael Taylor carried out a frenzied attack on 60-year old Liz MacKay. He beat her repeatedly and so severely that she died as a result of a number of significant head injuries.

Ms MacKay was found after two friends visited her home, discovering her body on the kitchen floor.

Although Taylor denied the offence, his DNA was found on the body of Ms MacKay and his fingerprints were found in her blood nearby. When he was detained by police the following week, DNA from Ms MacKay was recovered from the watch he was wearing.

In addition, medical staff from the prison where Taylor had been kept on remand told the court of admissions he had made to them. He told them, unprompted, he had only punched Ms MacKay repeatedly, but claimed he was acting in self-defence after she had come at him with a knife.

No knife was ever found and it is clear from their verdict that the jury dismissed his claims that he wasn't responsible for her death.

ABOVE: Michael Taylor was an alcoholic.

Speaking following the sentencing, Nicky Patrick, Procurator Fiscal for Homicide and Major Crime, said:

“Michael Taylor carried out a brutal attack which left a woman dead in her own home and her murder was a great shock to the local community.

“Despite denying the crime, the commitment of police and prosecutors ensured that he did not escape justice for his appalling actions."

Detective Chief Inspector Keith Hardie of Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team, who led the inquiry, added: "We welcome today's conviction of Michael Taylor following the death of Elizabeth within her home at Inverness last year.

"It was clear from the outset that Elizabeth had suffered a violent attack at the hands of a person who then tried to evade capture by police. She made great efforts to defend herself, but it was sadly not enough.

"Subsequently the full resources of Police Scotland were used to identify and trace Taylor. This involved a wealth of forensic work, extensive proactive policing and invaluable assistance and information from members of the public to result in today's conviction.

"I can only hope that this outcome, which I know may not provide Elizabeth's family and friends with any closure, can help them begin to move on with their lives. Our thoughts are with them today."