Knife killers get life for 'horrific' revenge attack

Published on Thursday 4 November 2010 13:14

TWO killers who carried out a knife attack to avenge an 18-month-old grudge were jailed for life yesterday

William Downie, 28, was stabbed 23 times after a chase through residential streets in Hamilton, Lanarkshire. One of the wounds pierced his heart.

The start of the fatal incident had been witnessed by a group of youngsters, the High Court in Edinburgh heard. And as Mr Downie lay dying, his attackers returned to stab him again and to smash a bottle over his head.

Jailing John Holland, 40, and Peter Burns, 41, Lord Tyre told them: "The attack was horrific in its relentless and remorseless violence."

He added: "I regard it as an aggravating factor that your actions were motivated by revenge on Mr Downie."

Burns must serve at least 15 years and nine months before he can apply for parole, and Holland's minimum sentence was fixed at 14 years.

The court was told that Burns had been serving a prison sentence in November 2008 when he heard that Mr Downie and another man had forced their way into his home and indecently assaulted his disabled wife, Michelle, believing she had drugs hidden in her body.

They also assaulted daughter Linsey Burns, 20.

Mr Downie stood trial, but was cleared by a jury in February last year.