Life sentence for man who killed two people during vigil at a Dundee house

A man has been jailed for life after being convicted of murdering a woman and killing a man following a wake for a tragic teenager.

Robert Stratton, 43, stabbed Julie McCash, 43, and David Sorrie, 32, following a February 2017 get together for the friends and family of Ralph Smith, 18, in Dundee.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how pals of Ralph congregated at a house in the city's Drumlanrig Drive in the early hours of February 26.

They had gathered in the hope that Ralph, who had earlier fallen from cliffs in Arbroath, Angus, was still alive. His dead body was eventually discovered on nearby beach in March 2017.

However, the court heard how people at the party consumed alcohol and took illegal drugs. As the evening progressed, Stratton's partner Lee Kinney got involved in an argument with fellow party goers.

The court heard how the Kinney was beaten up by fellow party goers in the street. She told the court that she was in fear of her life and had to run home.

She said she was scared the people who had beaten her up were going to break into her house.

However, rather than wait for the police to arrive, the court heard that Stratton left the property armed with two kitchen knives.

He stabbed Ms McCash before plunging a blade into Mr Sorrie.

Both later died from the injuries.

On Tuesday, jurors convicted Stratton of murdering Ms McCash. They also convicted Stratton of the culpable homicide under provocation of Mr Sorrie.

Friends and family of the deceased started screaming at the verdict of the jury. Police removed several people from court.

As he was being led from the dock, Stratton turned to friends and family who were still sitting in the court and said: "Are you happy now?"

Court security guards then rushed him into the secure cell area as people shouted and swore.

Following the verdicts, prosecution lawyer Alex Prentice QC revealed that Stratton had previously Prosecution lawyer Alex Prentice QC revealed that Stratton had been given a seven year sentence at the High Court in Dunfermline for attempted murder.

Passing sentence, judge Lord Beckett told Stratton that he'd have to serve 23 and a half years in jail before he'd be eligible for parole.

He added: "The taking of two knives transformed a minor incident into two killings. For someone like you, with a previous conviction for attempted murder, who killed two people and in one case committed murder severe punishment is necessary."

The jury's verdicts came on the fifth day of proceedings at the court.

Stratton, of Dundee, had admitted killing the pair at the city's Drumlanrig Drive at the start of proceedings. He claimed he acted in self defence.

Speaking after the hearing, Lord Beckett thanked jurors for their service.

He told jurors after public benches cleared following the emotional outbursts: "You can understand feelings run high in this case.

"Two people died in terrible circumstances."

Speaking following the sentencing, Nicky Patrick, Procurator Fiscal for Homicide and Major Crime, said: "This is a tragic case involving two needless deaths due to the combination of alcohol and knives.

“Robert Stratton chose to take up a knife with the purpose of doing serious harm.

“Crimes of this nature are thankfully rare and some comfort can hopefully be taken from the life sentence handed to Stratton today.

"As prosecutors, we will continue to do our utmost to prosecute those who are responsible for violence and knife crime.