Prison killer has jail time cut

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A man who kicked a fellow prisoner to death while on remand for another killing has had his sentence cut.

David Martin was 19-years-old when he kicked and stamped on Michael Cameron in Kilmarnock Prison in June 2007.

He was later jailed for murder and the culpable homicide of his mother's boyfriend, Gilbert Grierson, in 2006.

Appeal judges cut his minimum jail term from 24 to 18 years after agreeing that the original sentence did not reflect his age and circumstances.

Martin's attack on Mr Cameron happened three months after he was remanded for killing Mr Grierson.

Boiling water

The incident, in Kilmarnock Prison's health wing, also saw Martin pour boiling water over his victim.

Mr Cameron was on remand at the time, accused of rape.

During his trial, Martin's lawyer had described his client as a damaged individual who had a life of breathtaking deprivation.

But the judge, Lord Matthews, said Martin's background was not an excuse for his actions.

Martin, now 21, challenged the sentence and judges at the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh reduced his minimum term to 18 years.

Lord Wheatley, who heard the appeal with Lord Bracadale, said they considered the sentencing judge should have taken into account the age and personal circumstances of Martin.

He added: "He appears deliberately not to have done that."