Murderer's boiling water and blade attack on victim

Gavin Gallagher attacked his victim at his flat in Govan

A 34-year-old man who threw a mixture of boiling water and sugar over a man before stabbing him in the heart has been convicted of murder.

Gavin Gallagher attacked Stephen Gray, 23, at his flat in the Govan area of Glasgow on 3 November 2023.

Gallagher, who said he had spent part of the day with Mr Gray and others, claimed he had acted in self-defence after his victim lunged at him while holding a weapon.

He told the High Court in Glasgow he used a blade of his own and water from a boiling kettle while in "fight of flight" mode.

Mr Gray was pronounced dead at the scene after police were called to the flat.

The court heard victim Stephen Gray had spent time with Gallagher and others before the attack

Following a trial, jurors rejected Gallagher's self-defence plea and found him guilty of murder. He now faces a life sentence.

After the verdict, advocate depute William Frain-Bell told the court Gallagher already had a lengthy criminal record for offences involving violence, weapons, robbery and drugs.

Judge Lord Mulholland adjourned the case until 8 October when Gallagher will learn the minimum time he will spend behind bars.

The judge told him: "You have been convicted of a terrible murder.

"You stabbed him straight through the heart - there was absolutely no possibility of that poor man surviving.

"Not only that, before you stabbed him, you poured boiling water laced with sugar over him.

"This is an appalling thing to do to another human being. You also have a horrific criminal record."