'Cold, pathetic coward' who killed and killed again gets 20 years

The knife attack left Amjid Ismail slumped over a till at the village store his family had run for 20 years.

Blood was pouring from his neck as his attacker made his escape.

Regarded by the community of Maybole, Ayrshire, as an adopted son, 34-year-old Amjid was gentle, hard-working and decent. He died in Ayr Hospital of a severed jugular vein on the same day his relatives, who usually ran the shop, attended the passing-out parade of his brother Anjam, who had just joined Strathclyde Police.

McGeechan, 47, was sentenced to serve at least 20 years in prison yesterday.

It was not the first time he had killed. He was locked up in 1996 for ten years for stabbing a man who had thrown snowballs at his dogs. He served just six years before being released on licence, but was recalled after committing a further, minor crime, and spent another three years in jail, where he became a drug addict.

After hearing a judge brand McGeechan as "wicked", Amjid's brother, Amir, a trainee lawyer, made an impassioned plea to Scotland's politicians to be tougher on convicted killers.

He said: "There are no circumstances in my mind that may justify an individual convicted of taking the life of another person even being considered for early release or placement within an open prison.

"The time has surely now come for our Members of Parliament to be accountable to the public and launch an urgent and immediate review of the various elements of our justice system, with swift legislation to address the changes sought."

He branded McGeechan "an evil, cold and pathetic coward" who had left a permanent gap in the family, who could not bear to open the shop again.

"Words cannot even begin to describe how difficult the last 18 months have been,'' he said.

"Nobody can understand just how heartbreaking and soul- destroying it is to come home and find your parents in tears, night after week after month, in the knowledge that there is nothing you can do to assist."

Amjid, who is understood to have had learning difficulties, was left in charge of the store, known as Johnny's, on 8 November, 2006.

He tried to telephone the police for help but misdialled and the horrific sound of the attack was captured on a local resident's answer phone.

Realising what Mr Ismail had tried to do, McGeechan, of Maybole, stole the shop's phone as he fled the scene.

Despite being unanimously convicted by a jury at the High Court in Kilmarnock, he continued to protest his innocence yesterday when he was sentenced by judge Lady Clark of Calton at the High Court in Edinburgh.

She told him: "On any view, this was a wicked crime. You showed no mercy or concern … you used a knife repeatedly against a defenceless victim.

"Despite his terrible injuries, he tried to summon help but you stole the phone, taking away his only means of getting assistance.

"This is the second time you have appeared in these courts when you have caused a death," the judge said.

Statement by Amir Ismail, brother of Amjid Ismail

WORDS cannot begin to describe how difficult the last 18 months have been for the family. The shock, distress and pain of suddenly losing a member of your family in the most difficult of circumstances is very difficult to comprehend.

Nobody can understand just how soul-destroying it is to come home and find your parents in tears night after week after month, in the knowledge that there is nothing you can do to assist.

There is no doubt in my mind that the individual responsible for this crime is an evil, cold and pathetic coward, who has no respect or dignity towards other members of the public. As a result of his actions, there will be a permanent gap that will never be filled again.

There are no circumstances in my mind that may justify an individual convicted of taking the life of another person even being considered for early release or placement within an open prison. The time has surely now come for our Members of Parliament to… launch an urgent and immediate review of the various elements of our justice system.

I would, however, like to end on a positive note. One thing that has become clear is that, for every undesirable individual we harbour in society, there are hundreds (if not thousands) of warm, affectionate and kind people who make up the vast majority of the Scottish public.

The family have been overwhelmed (by] the sheer volume of cards, flowers, letters, visits, calls, texts and general positive support shown to date. All of these sources of support have been of great comfort.

I would like to end this statement by requesting the family be left alone in peace in order that we all may attempt to move on with our lives.