Former Larkhall soilder jailed for six years after killing pal in money row

Sep 22 2011 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

A FORMER soldier – who danced with the Queen at Balmoral – was jailed for six years this week after killing a man following a row over money.

Brian Lindsay (40), attacked his victim and repeatedly pushed and punched him, forced him to the floor and struck his head on it.

A judge told Lindsay at the High Court in Edinburgh he could see from victim’s relatives’ statements that Andrew Campbell was “a much-loved brother and much-loved father”.

Lord Brodie said: “I can see by his premature death he was deprived of the experience of becoming a grandfather.”

“Andrew Campbell was only 48 years old when he died. He was someone who had much to look forward to,” said the judge.

“Nothing I can do and nothing that has been said on your behalf can undo the tragedy,” added Lord Brodie.

The judge told Lindsay he would have faced an eight-year jail term for the crime, but for his early offer to plead guilty.

The Crown rejected Lindsay's plea to killing Mr Campbell and he stood trial charged with murder, which carries a life sentence. However, he was found guilty by a jury of the reduced charge of culpable homicide.

Lord Brodie said Mr Campbell, formerly of Melrose Place, Larkhall, did not die as a result of any blow inflicted on him, but from bleeding following a nasal fracture.

“He could not clear his airway because he was unconscious,” said the judge.

He pointed out no weapon was used in the fatal assault and the victim's injuries were likely to have been caused by no more than 18 blows and possibly as little as six, the majority of which may have been “relatively mild”, according to a pathologist.

Lord Brodie said although Lindsay had been assessed as a low risk of re-offending, only a prison sentence was appropriate.

The two men had gone to Lindsay's home in Abbotsford Avenue, Larkhall, on December 14 last year for a nightcap after a night out.

But Mr Campbell was assaulted after wrongly accusing Lindsay of stealing £400 from him. He believed he had taken his wallet containing the cash.

Lindsay later made a 999 call and told an operator: “He’s not moving.” During the call, he said: "It was a mad wee argument. He said I stole £400 from him, but it was in his back pocket.”

Defence counsel Tony Graham said Lindsay had asked him to express remorse for the offence, adding: “He can offer no comfort whatsoever to those who have been bereaved. He realises he has taken a life and will bear forever the moral responsibility of having become a killer on December 14.”

Mr Graham said Lindsay had known his victim who had been a guest in his house on the fateful night. The defence counsel said Lindsay had, for the greater part of his adult life, been a contributor and had served “Queen and country.”