Dad who killed 10-year-old son in Coupar Angus jailed for 16 years

A dad who killed his 10-year-old son at a house in Coupar Angus has been sentenced to 16 years behind bars.

Karl Morris repeatedly stabbed Kane to death before attacking an 8-year-old girl in November 2018.

He then stabbed himself before jumping out of a second floor window.

The 38-year-old previously pleaded guilty to the culpable homicide of his son and the attempted murder of an 8-year-old girl.

The high court in Aberdeen today heard how he would have been given a 20 year sentence had he not admitted his guilt.

He avoided a murder charge on the grounds of reduced mental capacity - judge Lord Mullholland says he'll now "pay a heavy price" for this "horrific violence.

"Karl Morris, you have pled guilty to two brutal and horrific crimes. Whilst your son and a girl, aged 10 and eight years, were lying defenceless in their beds, under your care and both expecting to be cared for and protected by you, you repeatedly stabbed both of them," he said.

“The blows with the knife you inflicted were multiple, frenzied and directed at areas of their bodies where their lives would be placed in grave danger.

“Tragically the heroic attempts of the paramedics were not enough to save you son’s life and he succumbed to the injuries which you inflicted. The girl had also sustained life threatening injuries and thankfully the paramedics, surgical and medical teams who worked on her injuries were successful in their endeavours.

“Had it not been for the immediate medical attention she would have died. She was hospitalised for four weeks to allow her to recover physically for her injuries."

“I take into account your reduced mental capacity at the time which was recognised by the crown in accepting a plea of guilty to the reduced crime of culpable homicide, the timing of your pleas of guilty, the background reports, your limited criminal record and your counsel’s plea in mitigation.

“Had you not pled guilty when you did, I would have sentenced you to a cumulo sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment. Taking account of the timing of your pleas of guilty and the utilitarian benefits that brings, I sentence you to 16 years’ imprisonment.

“I will order that this sentence should run from 22 November 2018, the date you were first confined by order of the court for this matter."