14 years for jealous lover who murdered teenager in Kirkcaldy

By GRANT MCCABE
Published on 22/09/2012 01:39

A MAN who murdered a teen­ager using a baseball bat has been ordered to serve at least 14 years in prison.

Joseph Mullen, 21, repeatedly struck Gary Wallace at a flat in Kirkcaldy in March after discovering his girlfriend thought his teenage victim was “gorgeous”.

Mullen’s anger was fuelled days earlier after finding out about a “provocative” text that his partner had sent to the 17-year-old.

Mullen yesterday admitted murder when he appeared at the High Court in Glasgow.

His QC, Donald Findlay, said the killer wished to admit what he had done to spare Mr
Wallace’s family and his own the ordeal of a trial.

Lord Matthews ordered Mullen – who had previous convictions for violence – to serve at least 14 years. He said the term would have been 16 years, but for the guilty plea.

The court heard that Mullen had met Gary Wallace for the first time on 15 March this year, days before the murder.

On 17 March, Mullen’s girlfriend, Lyndsay McFadyen, texted Mr Wallace, which included calling him a “gorgeous boy”.

Prosecutor Peter McCormack told the court: “The accused was seen to be reading this message over the shoulder of Miss McFadyen and appeared to become annoyed and jealous as a result.”

Mr Wallace was transferred to intensive care at a hospital in Edinburgh after it was found he had bleeding on the brain, as well as various fractures. He died of his injuries on 22 March.