Drunk pair murdered 'frail' man in his home

Christopher McColm was beaten to death at his home in Beattie Court, Hawick, on 12 April.

Following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, Aleksandr Podgornoi, 25, and Vladimir Jakovlev, 24, were found guilty of his murder.

Both Podgornoi and Jakovlev lived in the same block of flats as their victim and had been drinking heavily before the attack.

Mr McColm, who had health problems, was severely beaten, suffering multiple injuries to the head and body. Police were called to the address after neighbours heard the disurbance, and both men were arrested nearby.

Mr McColm was taken to the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh and then later to the Western General Hospital, but died the following day.

Detective Inspector Jim Robertson from Lothian and Borders Police, who led the investigation, said: "Both Podgornoi and Jakovlev are callous individuals who carried out a sustained and extremely violent attack on a frail individual who had little chance of defending himself.

"I am satisfied with the guilty verdict, which reflects the overwhelming evidence against both men and it's my sincere hope that Christopher's family can take some comfort from the outcome at court."

Social workers were trying to arrange new accommodation for the victim the day before he died, the court heard. Tenancy support worker Ian McHutchison said Mr McColm was having problems with neighbours and wanted to move.

The convicted men will be sentenced at a later date. They face mandatory life sentences.