Two teenagers who embarked on a senseless spree of violence that led to the murders of two men in two days have been given life sentences.
Andrew Moran and Paul Erskine, both 19, were jailed for the attacks in Bathgate, West Lothian, at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday. Police and prosecutors said the pair’s bragging about the crimes had caused the victims’ families “tremendous anguish”.
In the first of the apparently random and motiveless assaults, the teenagers broke into 65-year-old Harry Reekie’s Bathgate home last September then bound him and stabbed him repeatedly before robbing him of £400. In the early hours of the next day they launched a vicious attack on Steven Mitchell, 31, who they also stabbed to death at his home a few streets away.
Moran was convicted at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday of both counts of murder and was told he must serve at least 24 years in prison.
Erskine was found guilty of the murder of Mr Mitchell and of culpable homicide over the killing of Mr Reekie, for which he will be imprisoned for at least 22 years.
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Speaking after the three-week trial, Detective Superintendent Kenny Graham, said: “They have so far shown absolutely no remorse for their crimes and have refused to explain their motivations, something that the families and those closest to the victims would have appreciated to help them come to terms with their loss.
“In the absence of any explanation, it is reasonable to infer that they are both highly dangerous men who displayed no regard for their victims. My thoughts are today with the families and loved ones of Mr Reekie and Mr Mitchell.”