Killer sentenced for murder of friend

A killer who mocked his victim as he asked him to smile for a photograph has been jailed for life.

Gary Crossan, was today locked up for at least 14 years for the murder of his friend Malcolm Wright in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire.

The brutal attack on January 26 this year was sparked over an apparent row over cash.

Mr Wright – who was punched, kicked and stamped upon – never recovered and died days later in hospital.

Jurors watched footage of a laughing Crossan taunting the 56 year-old as he lay on the floor on the morning of the attack.

He repeatedly demanded “when am I going to get my money” and was also heard urging his stricken victim to smile for a picture.

Prosecutors told Crossan – who denied murder – the videos showed “exactly who you are”.

The thug was today sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow.

Crossan had earlier been found guilty following a trial in Aberdeen.

Lord Matthews told the court that “nothing” he could say would lessen the distress for Mr Wright's grieving family.

The trial heard how the men had known each other for around 10 years.

Crossan – originally from Greenock, Inverclyde - moved to Peterhead after dating a woman from the town.

He told jurors he only hit Mr Wright as he believed he was going to get struck first.

Crossan had offered a guilty plea to the reduced charge of culpable homicide, but this was rejected by prosecutors.

He insisted he had not meant to kill his friend and was “devastated” when he learned Mr Wright had died from brain injuries.

But, advocate depute Alan Cameron put to him: “You said those videos are not who you are, but what I am suggesting is that they are exactly who you are.

“You wanted your money, you punched him, kicked his head; stamped on his head.

“You might have regretted it afterwards and bought him lunch the next day - but in that moment you didn’t care whether he lived or died.”

Shelagh McCall QC, defending, said Crossan had an “insight” into the “harm” that he has caused.