Heartbroken dad pays tribute to man killed by ex-Marine

Brian Lawrie, 22, was killed by ex-Royal Marine David Malcolm after a night out just 11 weeks after his mother passed away.

Today his father, also Brian Lawrie, told the Evening News that he did not know how he had coped with the double tragedy, but he remembered his son as a "great, kind person who lived life to the full, just like his mum".

He said: "Brian was a keen golfer and loved fishing. He was good at both and a very passionate lad.

"His favourite place to go was Tweedale Millennium Fishery in Haddington. He once caught a fish that was about 13 1/2 lbs and he fished for the Scottish youth team.

"He'd go fishing and golfing every week. He wasn't just my son, he was my best friend."

Mr Lawrie, of Stoneybank Drive, Musselburgh, added: "He was due to go back to work the day after he was killed, after taking time off for his mum's death. He was very positive about it, and he'd gone to meet his boss for a meal the night he died.

"There was a new suit hanging on the door. He'd tried it on earlier that day and he said 'I'm going to be the smartest person in this company'.

"When he died everything was a blur. I'm still empty. A lot of people say it gets easier through time, but it doesn't."

Cousin Shelly Herkes, 22, recalled that Brian had been "like a brother" to her. She said: "We were a close family, and he was close to his aunt Michele. We'd go to the football together to see Rangers play.

"Brian was always smiling, he had so many friends and was well-liked."

She added that he had been buried with pictures and a Rangers scarf, and had red, white and blue flowers at his funeral on April 1.

Mr Lawrie was out with girlfriend Danielle Montgomery the night he died. The pair had travelled to Edinburgh on February 21, but later headed on to Wiremill Social Club, in Balcarres Road, Musselburgh, where Mr Lawrie was struck.

Mr Lawrie fell and hit the back of his head. He died more than a fortnight later.

Malcolm, 29, of Miners Walk, Dalkeith, has admitted culpable homicide. He will be sentenced at a later date.