Man admits raping two women and killing another

Steven Mathieson, from Falkirk, stabbed Romanian escort Luciana Maurer, 23, a total of 44 times in a frenzied and unprovoked attack last December.

The 38-year-old went on to rape two more vice girls he called to his house. Both victims escaped by fleeing naked.

A sales manager with Arnold Clark, Mathieson was said to have been of “impeccable character” with a long-term partner and a home in a quiet neighbourhood of Falkirk.

The court heard how the killing happened while his girlfriend of ten years was on a night out and his young child slept next door.

Mathieson now faces life in jail after he pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to murder and rape.

He had spent the day of the killing, 4 December last year, out with family enjoying Christmas shopping and later went for a meal with his children.

Described in court as being his “normal self”, he then dropped one of his children at his grandmother’s before returning home with his younger son. He sent a text to his girlfriend, stating: “Have a good night. Love you”.

After returning home and putting his child to bed, Mathieson made a phone call and arranged for escort Ms Maurer to meet him. The Romanian-born mother, who each month sent money to her family and seven-year-old daughter, arrived at his home at around 11pm.

Within minutes, she was dead. Mathieson, high on cocaine, stabbed her 44 times, including slitting her throat. He then texted his partner, saying: “Sorry xx”.

Two more vice girls, aged 26 and 22, then arrived after being contacted by Mathieson and were led upstairs.

Prosecutor Jane Farquharson said: “Mathieson went into the bedroom first. He put on the light and hung back at the door whilst the women walked in.

“As soon as they entered the bedroom, they saw the deceased, lying on her back on top of the double bed.”

Mathieson grabbed two knives from a set of drawers before blocking the door and threatening to kill them.

Miss Farquharson: “He told both to remove their clothing and to dance for him. In fear of what he might do and, with the body of the deceased lying on the bed in front of them, each did as they were told.”

Mathieson went on to rape the pair – attacking one on the bed beside Ms Maurer before ordering them downstairs where he raped them again.

Miss Farquharson said: “Over the course of the assault in the living room, he told them that his son was asleep in the bedroom upstairs.

“He appeared to have an awareness of what he had done, advising both, ‘I’m going to be many years in prison because I killed that girl. I’ve done this to show my wife something’.”

The women later raced for the door and ran to a nearby flat.

Mathieson dialled 999 himself and told the operator: “I’ve been high on drugs and I’ve killed a prostitute. Tell the officers I am not aggressive. I’m sitting on the couch. I had two other girls, but I’ve let them go.”