Murder over chocolate bar

A MAN was jailed for life yesterday after carrying out a murder armed with a sword after an argument over a bar of chocolate.

William McArdle, 25, killed one man and left another fighting for his life in the Gilmerton area of Edinburgh.

A judge ordered McArdle should serve at least 22 years in prison for the murder of William McPhee.

Judge Michael O’Grady QC told him at the High Court in Edinburgh: “It seems almost beyond belief that a trivial dispute over a bar of chocolate could set in train events that would lead to one man dead and one man struggling for his life.”

He pointed out that McArdle, a prisoner, had armed himself with a sword to attack Mr McPhee, 43, and Colin Stewart, 41, at Castleview House in Craigour Place on 11 January this year.

Mr O’Grady said: “It was an attack that was vicious, sustained and cowardly.” The judge added that McArdle had shown “not a flicker of concern” for his victims after the attacks.

McArdle was earlier found guilty of murdering the father of two and attempting to murder the other man.

McArdle’s co-accused, Chanelle Barrett, 19, also a prisoner, was also found guilty of assaulting Mr McPhee and committing the murder bid on Mr Stewart.

The two victims were at a flat with Barrett when an argument started and McArdle arrived at the scene.