Murderer to serve 20 years

David Nairne carried out a “vicious and sustained attack” on Alan Ross, stabbing him 11 times in the face and neck. Nairne, originally from Inverness, was told he must spend a minimum of 20 years in prison before being considered for parole.

A jury at the High Court in Livingston unanimously found him guilty of murdering Mr Ross, 45, in his home in Pilton, Edinburgh, in February. He was also found guilty of trying to defeat the ends of justice by setting fire to the dead man’s clothing and disposing of evidence, including two knives.

Nairne was given a concurrent six-year sentence for the secondary charge.

Temporary Judge John Beckett told Nairne the victim was “a well-liked gentleman who showed only kindness to you”.