A murderer who murdered a disabled man in a brutal attack similar to a “scene” from the Rocky movies has been jailed for at least 20 years.
On September 14, 2022, Daniel Gauld, 25, repeatedly hit Douglas Struthers, 62, with a metal pole at the victim’s home in Boness, Falkirk Struthers punched, kicked and struck him while shouting “die, die, die.” .
Mr Struthers died three days later at the Royal Infirmary. Edinburgh.
At the city’s High Court this week, Judge Lord Fairley described it as a “vicious, prolonged and brutal attack”.
The judge added: “You assaulted him so severely that two of his teeth ended up in his lungs.”
Lord Fairlie noted that Gauld “was not familiar with the victim” but he invited the murderer and witness Fiona Grigg to his home and entertained them warmly.
The court heard Gauld had been drinking cider and whiskey before challenging Struthers, who has limited mobility, to “a fight”.
Ms Grigg said Gauld punched the victim in the face multiple times.
She said: “He used his hands. He wouldn’t stop. It was like something out of Rocky [the boxing movie]”.
Gauld kicked Mr Struthers in the face and hit the victim repeatedly on the head with a metal pole.
Witnesses tried to intervene
Ms Grigg, who was joined by Mr Struthers’ neighbor who called 999, said she tried to intervene and protect the victim but was struck by the pole.
Gauld admitted lying to police during an interview and claimed he was violently attacked after being hit in the hand with a stick by Mr Struthers.
The killer told the court: “He hit me and I hit him.”
Lord Fairlie said Mr Struthers had suffered bruising from tram lines when he was hit by a telegraph pole. He suffered other injuries to his head and body.
The judge added: “The assault you inflicted on Mr Struthers was serious enough to amount to murder.”
Gauld denied murder but was found guilty after a trial.
On Monday, he was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 20 years.
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“You are a man who will say anything that suits your purpose”
The judge said there were a number of aggravating factors in the case, including that the attack was unprovoked, a weapon was used and Mr Struthers was a disabled man in his 60s.
He added: “The courts must do all they can to demonstrate society’s aversion to such crimes against vulnerable people such as Mr Struthers.”
Lord Fairlie acknowledged that Gauld had “expressed a degree of remorse” but added: “However, I am very cautious about this because from the evidence I have heard you are a person who will say whatever is appropriate. man.” your purpose, whether it’s true or not. “
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After the hearing, Detective Inspector Will Harley said: “This was a particularly horrific attack by Gauld on a stranger.
“Mr Struthers’ family and many in the local community have been affected by the level of violence used by Gauld and our thoughts are with them.”
police Scotland Inspectors would like to thank everyone who assisted during the investigation.
He added: “Gald will now face the consequences of his actions and this conviction demonstrates that we will use all the tools at our disposal to investigate and bring to justice those who commit such brutal crimes.”
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