Brutal murderer sentenced to life

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/6214481.stm

Version 0 of 1.

A man responsible for what a judge described as a "callous and brutal" murder has been ordered to serve at least 17 years in jail.

Paul Townsley, 24, from Glasgow, was jailed for life after being found guilty of murdering Neil Martin, 20, in the city's Ruchill area on 20 May.

Lord Carloway said: "You have no remorse for taking the life of a decent young man, who did you no harm."

Mr Martin's father Neil, 49, said his son was special and a bright light.

"Such a bright light so tragically switched off when he was just beginning to shine," he said.

Mr Martin's sister Jaclyn, 17, added: "He was one-in-a-million, definitely the best big brother you could ever want."

Repeatedly stabbed

Townsley, of Saltmarket, stabbed Mr Martin, from Summerston, through the heart after he had asked him to leave a party.

He was also found guilty of attempting to murder Stephen Quinn, 20, who was repeatedly stabbed in the back and slashed on the face and neck.

He was sentenced to 10 years for the murder bid.

This will run concurrently with his life sentence for murder, which will see him serve a minimum of 17 years.

Found guilty

Lord Carloway told Townsley he would be writing to the parole board saying they should "be careful in considering you for release then, or for release at all".

Townsley's friend Christopher Riddell, 23, of Kingfisher Drive, Glasgow, was also convicted of the attempted murder of Mr Quinn.

He was jailed for seven years.

Townsley's brother Stephen, 20, of Kelso Street, Yoker, was found guilty of assaulting Mr Quinn and sentenced to nine months detention.