Hillhouse man stabbed to death after violent attack

Mar 4 2010 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

FAMILIES in Hillhouse this week told of their shock after a 34-year-old man was knifed to death in a flat while dozens of young children played outside.

Police launched a murder probe after Kevin Black sustained “horrific” injuries in a “vicious and violent” attack in Dunkeld Place on Monday at 6pm.

Residents say Black, of Townhill Road, was stabbed 15 times and had his throat slit.

Officers rushed to the flat and found his body inside.

The following day, a post-mortem confirmed Black had been murdered.

Police sealed off the flats and carried out house-to-house enquiries.

Forensics experts combed the area for clues and checked street drains to find the murder weapon.

A police support unit was set up in the street.

An officer stood guard outside the flats where Black was found.

Black was last seen walking in the area before he was killed.

He had earlier visited his mother Anne Gallacher’s Comely Crescent home.

Yesterday (Wednesday) Detective Inspector Gordon McConnell said police were following a positive line of enquiry and appealed for witnesses.

“He sustained horrific injuries after a vicious and violent attack,” DI McConnell said.

“We are appealing for anyone in the area at 6pm on Monday and saw the incident to contact police.

“His family are trying to come to terms with his death.

“We are looking for one person, but we are not ruling out that more people may be involved.”

DI McConell said no firearms were used in the incident. Asked if a knife was, he replied: “I can’t confirm if a knife was used.”

Neighbours said they were fed up with drug abusers in the area. One mum said: “It was only a matter of time before something like this happened. It won’t be the last.”

About 50 people rushed into the street after an ambulance and about 10 police officers turned up to deal with the incident.

One mum said: “About 20 children, some as young as four, were playing in the circle at the flats’ car park when the murder occurred.”

One man said: “I am not surprised as the place is riddled with junkies.”

Another woman added: “The flats are mainly private lets and the landlords are only interested in picking up regular DSS cheques,” she added.

One woman added: “His mum will be devastated. She stood by him and did everything for him.”

Black, who lived in Townhill Road, attended St Ninian’s Primary School and John Ogilvie High School.

He was unemployed and had no children but has a girlfriend.

His sister Lesley has two children and lives in Comely Crescent.

In March 2006, the Advertiser reported how Hillhouse people called for Black to be barred from his mother’s house in Comrie Crescent after making people’s lives a misery.

Earlier that month, he was jailed for four months for assault and robbery.

Black, who had previous convictions for breach of the peace, assault and wilful fireraising, was sentenced to five months’ jail in March 2006 after assaulting a mum.

Before he was killed, neighbours claimed Black had been going around the area with fake £20 notes and asking people for change.

DI McConnell said: “We are aware of these suggestions but there is no evidence.”

Police have vowed to step up patrols in a bid to reassure the public.

Superintendent Colin Campbell, of Hamilton Police Office, said: “While the circumstances of this death are being investigated, a highly visible presence by uniformed officers will be maintained in the Hillhouse area to provide public reassurance.”

Ward councillor Allan Falconer said: “I am concerned about the death and the impact that has on any family.

“People haven’t come to my surgeries about anti-social behaviour or drug issues in the Dunkeld Place area.

“Whether it is private or council tenants, people should report anti-social behaviour to the police, the council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Task Unit, or go along to one of the four councillors’ surgeries.”

Independent councillor Tommy Gilligan said: “It is a real tragedy but we need to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

A South Lanarkshire spokeswoman said: “We have received no complaints of anti-socuial behaviour in Dunkeld Place.”

Anyone with information should contact Hamilton CID on 483300, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 55111, where calls are free and anonymity can be maintained.