Family slam sentence given to Larkhall grandad’s killer

Sep 29 2011 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

THE heartbroken family of a slain Larkhall grandad this week slammed the sentence given to his killer.

Andrew Campbell’s relatives insist justice hasn’t been done after Brian Lindsay (40) was jailed for six years for killing the dad-of-two.

Former soldier Lindsay attacked his 48-year-old victim and repeatedly pushed and punched him, forced him to the floor and struck him on the head at his home in Larkhall’s Abbotsford Avenue.

Andrew’s cousin, James Whitelaw, described his relative as a “big gentleman” and said he would do anything for anyone.

He added: “Six years in prison is an insult to the family, who have been through enough.

“He (Lindsay) could be out in three years.

“We had been just trying to come to terms with his death.

“The trail was a farce.”

The judge, Lord Brodie, said at the High Court that Lindsay 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 and he stood trial charged with murder.

But he was found guilty by a jury of the reduced charge of culpable homicide.

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

The judge added he could not clear his airway because he was unconscious.

But his family take issue with Lord Brodie’s assessment and insisted if Lindsay hadn’t hit Andrew, then he would still be alive.

James added: “He (Lindsay) killed him.

“Andrew just didn’t fall unconscious.

“It was the blow to his nose that made him bleed and, ultimately, killed him.”

The High Court was told that the two men had go to Lindsay’s house on December 14 last year.

But Mr Campbell was assaulted after wrongly accusing Lindsay of stealing £400 from him.

He had believed he had taken his wallet containing the cash. Lindsay said the money had been in Andrew’s back pocket.

But Mr Whitelaw accused Lindsay of making it up. He added: “It was not proven in court that Andrew accused him of stealing £400.

“As far as how Andrew got involved with him, we don’t know. They were never friends.”

Before ill-health forced Andrew, originally from Kirkmuirhill, to give up working, he was employed in open-cast mines and in South Lanarkshire Council’s Care of Gardens scheme.

James added: “Andrew stopped working because he wasn’t well.”

Another relative, who didn’t want to be named, added: “His 23-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son are devastated.

“Andrew has an eight-month old grandson who he never got to see.

“Andrew is not here to argue his case, so it is up to his family to fight for him.”

At court, defence counsel Tony Graham said Lindsay had, for the greater part of his life, been a “contributor” and had served “Queen and country”.

Whitelaw said: “They are saying all these good things about Lindsay, it is not fair on Andrew.”