Ex-soldier gets life for stabbing man to death

Kevan Doyle was stabbed to death in October 2022

A former soldier who stabbed a man to death at the door of his home has been given a life sentence for murder.

Stephen McGhee, 48, was told he would spend at least 21 years in prison before he becomes eligible for parole following the murder of Kevan Doyle in Wishaw, in North Lanarkshire.

He was found guilty of murder at a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh last month.

Judge Lord Young said McGhee was "a man quick to violence" who already had 10 convictions for assault.

McGhee had denied murdering Mr Doyle in the attack by striking him on the head and body with a weapon on 28 October 2022.

The court heard that it appeared that a screwdriver was used in the attack.

Lord Young told McGhee: "The speed and ferocity of the attack was plain to see on CCTV footage."

The judge said 43-year-old Mr Doyle experienced many difficulties in his life and added: "He was part of a close and loving family and they miss him very deeply."

Jurors heard the men had known each other for about 15 years.

McGhee claimed he had wanted to help his friend and had returned home to get him food and a spare phone.

When he returned to the house in Glencleland Road, he claimed he was effectively ambushed by Mr Doyle, the victim's cousin and a woman.

He claimed he was pulled inside the house and confronted with a weapon.

McGhee fled the scene and said he had only realised something serious had happened when he later spotted police tape at the house.

He told the trial: "I could not believe what had happened had resulted in his death."

Defence counsel Tony Graham KC said it was "a needless death" and added: "He stands to spend a considerable time in custody for ending a human life."

He said "a considerable amount of alcohol" had been consumed on the day of the attack.

Mr Graham added: "It goes without saying that if Mr McGhee could relive that day he would never have returned to that house."