Peter Duffy jailed for life for murdering brother and partner in Coatbridge

A murderer of his brother, partner and sibling’s cat has been jailed for life and ordered to spend the last 30 years behind bars.

Peter Duffy, 48, stabbed John Paul Duffy, 51, and Emma Baillie, 26, multiple times.

He hid his brother’s body under a pile of rubbish on the sofa in Mr Duffy’s flat in Coatbridge.

During the bloodletting process, he also killed his sibling’s cat with an axe.

Duffy was also found to have strangled Ms Bailey, whose body was found in his own flat in the North Lanarkshire town two days after his brother was found.

Ms Bailey’s body was also found on the sofa, covered in clothing.

in the High Court at Edinburgh Lord Scott said on Friday that both victims were vulnerable.

The judge added: “Your victims were not treated with respect, without dignity, even after you murdered them.

“They suffered further indignities, only to be left to rot in the very place where you murdered them.”

Ms Baillie’s murder is believed to have occurred between March 4 and April 12, 2022, while Mr Duffy died sometime between March 29 and April 10, 2022.

Mr Duffy’s body was discovered by police during a welfare check on April 10, 2022, after concerns were raised.

Police forced entry into his apartment and found the dead cat in a pool of blood in the hallway.

They then found Peter Duffy in a sleeping bag in the living room, near the sofa where his brother was lying.

“Treat me like an animal and I will treat you like an animal”

When police discovered the body, Duffy reportedly said: “Treat me like an animal and I’ll treat you like an animal.”

Duffy later claimed that he had discovered his brother’s body days earlier and had stayed there in case the killer showed up again.

He later said he stabbed his brother in the shoulder and torso in self-defense during a violent confrontation.

When Ms Bailey’s body was discovered at Duffy’s home two days later, the killer claimed she had been dead for “several days” when he found her and covered her “out of respect”.

Detective Inspector Nicola Barton told the jury during Duffy’s trial that the smell of decomposing bodies was one she would “never forget”.

“A smell I will never forget”

After Ms Baillie died, Duffy pretended to be her stepfather and claimed £198 in benefits on her behalf.

Lord Scott said: “After Emma’s death you were busy using her money to meet your needs and obviously took some time to celebrate your birthday.”

The court heard Ms Baillie was due to appear as a witness in the Duffy attack at Airdrie Sheriff Court on March 17 but failed to attend because it was likely Duffy had murdered her by then.

Lord Scott said: “Whether this was why you murdered her may never be known, but the timing appears to be more than just coincidence.”

‘The killer planned, plotted and lied’

The judge said Duffy had tried to discredit the two victims but the jury “saw through” his lies.

He said the killer “planned, plotted and lied” to try to escape the consequences of his “horrible” actions.

Lord Scott added: “However, another consequence of your lies is that the victim’s family and friends did not know, and may never know, beyond what is obvious from the fatal injuries you sustained. What happened to their loved ones in their last moments.” “

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Duffy had previously been jailed for aggravated assault and had three bail orders at the time of the killing.

He denied any responsibility but was found guilty following a High Court trial last month. Glasgow.

A criminal justice social work report assessed he posed the greatest risk of further offending.

“He couldn’t shake the flashback of her final moments”

Lord Scott noted a victim impact statement issued by Ms Bailey’s father, Stuart Bailey.

The judge said: “He described a feeling of loss and numbness and in effect said he wanted to feel numb.

“Nothing said or done here today, nor any sentence I impose, will be enough to help us lose a much-loved daughter, Stuart Bailey’s only child.

“He has flashbacks of her final moments in his mind, but he can’t escape them. They prevent him from living the way he once did.”

“He was affected every day by what you did to Emma and will continue to be affected by it. Emma’s mother was in attendance today and will obviously be equally affected.”

As well as being sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 30 years, Duffy was banned indefinitely from owning or keeping any animals.

Lord Scott said: “This is because you brutally murdered your brother’s pet cat.

“While this act is disturbing, it pales in comparison to the two murders.”