Man jailed for murdering 20-year-old man in flat

Caleb Ferguson's plea to a lesser charge of culpable homicide was rejected by prosecutors

A 20-year-old man who stabbed a man to death in Perth has been jailed for a minimum of 16 years.

Caleb Ferguson was found guilty of murdering Cameron Rae, 20, at a flat in the city in April last year.

Ferguson, who was 18 at the time of the murder, stabbed his victim three times to the torso, with one wound causing fatal internal damage.

He had previously offered a guilty plea to the lesser offence of culpable homicide, but this was rejected by prosecutors.

Cameron Rae was repeatedly struck with a knife

Judge Lord Scott told Ferguson that a victim impact statement provided by Mr Rae's mother on behalf of his family described the continuing daily impact of the loss of their much-loved son and brother.

The judge said a background report prepared on Ferguson expanded on evidence heard at his trial about his excessive consumption of alcohol and cocaine at the time of the crime.

The court heard that after the fatal attack, Ferguson told his sister over the phone he had "plugged" Mr Rae.

Witness Connor Kelly told the trial he was at a bar in Perth with others watching an Celtic-Rangers football match on TV when Ferguson joined them.

He and Ferguson went to the flat where the attack later took place to continue drinking.

On a trip out of the flat he came across Mr Rae, who had also been drinking, and invited him back to the property.

Mr Kelly said at one point he left Ferguson and Mr Rae in the flat and returned to find Mr Rae injured and Ferguson looking angry.

Advocate depute Greg Farrell told jurors: "Caleb Ferguson said something about Cammy having called his dad a junkie and that appears to be the only explanation offered by Caleb Ferguson as to why he stabbed Cameron Rae to death."