Lanarkshire man convicted of murdering disabled 60 year old with hammer

Stephen Thompson will face life behind bars after killing Peter Morgan in his home

Author: Alice FaulknerPublished 13th Jun 2023

A 26-year-old man has been convicted of the murder of a disabled man from Lanarkshire.

Stephen Thomson attacked defenceless Peter Morgan, 60, with a hammer at the flat in Coatbridge on November 19 2021.

Thomson was today convicted of murder following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

He will learn the minimum he will spend behind bars when he returns to the dock next month.

After the incident, the killer then turned up unexpectedly at a woman's home still in possession of a hammer and with marks on his face - where he made some pasta for himself.

The murder weapon was discovered in his flat, hidden behind a toilet with a rucksack stashed next to a couch.

Peter meantime suffered severe head injuries and passed away at University Hospital Monklands in Airdrie, Lanarkshire five days later.

The advocate depute said there was a "convincing and compelling case" of murder against the him.

After the verdict, it emerged Thomson had previous convictions for assault, domestic violence and possession of a blade.

Lord Young told him: "The only sentence for murder is life imprisonment."

Thomson - who gave a thumbs up to a man in court as he was taken to the cells - will return to the dock on July 17 in Livingston.

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