A killer who stabbed a man in the neck and then gave him a tissue to draw blood has been sentenced to at least 13 years in prison.
John Blyth, 47, is said to have “lost control” during an argument with Paul Smith, 56, and repeatedly struck him on the head and neck with a kitchen knife.
Mr. Smith, who had serious underlying medical problems, died four days later in hospital.
Judge Lord Harrower said: “It appears that immediately after the incident you may have helped Mr Smith by providing him with a tissue to hold against his neck wound and absorb some of the blood.”
The attack took place at Blyth’s apartment in Edinburgh in January 2021.
Mr Smith subsequently went to the city’s Royal Infirmary and was later transferred to St John’s Hospital in Livingston, where he died.
He is said to have suffered from a number of conditions, including a rare blood disease.
Lord Harrower noted: “According to the surgeon, the wound itself was not life-threatening and that, but for Mr. Smith’s other conditions, he would have been stitched up and sent home.”
Blyth was found guilty of murder last month following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment, with at least 13 years in prison, in the Superior Court of Glasgow on Friday.
Lord Harrower said the jury rejected Blyth’s claim of self-defence.
He added: “What is clear is that some type of altercation occurred, during which you struck Mr Smith at least twice with a kitchen knife.
“On post-mortem examination, Mr Smith had incised wounds to the bridge of his nose and under his left eye, possibly caused by a single blow to the face.
“He received another stab wound to the left side of his neck, 2.7 cm long and 3 cm deep. You were uninjured.”
The judge accepted that it was not a “sustained murderous attack”.
However, a background report stated that although Blyth was “remorseful” about Mr Smith’s death, he “felt no remorse”.
Lord Harrower added: “And you seem to have suggested that Mr Smith was going to die imminently anyway, as if that should somehow be considered a mitigating factor.
“In fact, the fact that you knew he was in very poor health could be considered an aggravation.”
The court was previously told that Mr Smith left behind a sister and a young daughter.
The judge added: “Following your sentencing, I mentioned that members of Mr. Smith’s family provided the court with a very moving statement in which they expressed the hope that you could get the help you need and take advantage of this opportunity to become a better person.
“While no sentence from this court can compensate for the family’s loss, it can take into account your compassion.”
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After the hearing, Detective Inspector Keith Taylor said Blyth was now facing the consequences of the “brutal and senseless attack” and praised the victim’s family for their “strength and dignity throughout this ordeal”.
He added: “While this sentence cannot change what John Blyth did to Paul, I hope it brings some kind of closure to Paul’s family and friends.”
This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story
