Man jailed over fatal stabbing attack

Michael Jenkins, man wearing white shirt, a waistcoat, and an orange tie, looking at camera, with an interior wall behind himImage source, Police Scotland
Image caption,

Michael Jenkins died in Fraserburgh

  • Published

A 21-year-old man who admitted killing a man in Aberdeenshire after stabbing him 13 times in a violent row over money has been jailed for six years.

Michael Jenkins, 24, from Workington, in Cumbria, died after emergency services attended the incident in Fraserburgh in June last year.

Alfie Whelan had been charged with murder, but prosecutors previously accepted his guilty plea to the reduced charge of culpable homicide on the basis of provocation.

Whelan was sentenced to six years in prison at the High Court in Edinburgh, to be followed by four years of supervision.

Image caption,

Mr Jenkins died at the scene of the attack

Prosecutor Chris McKenna had previously told the High Court in Glasgow a "violent altercation" had taken place and Mr Jenkins was stabbed 13 times with a dagger.

The victim - who had been visiting Fraserburgh for work - stumbled out onto the street, screaming for help.

Mr McKenna said "extensive efforts" were made to save Mr Jenkins, however he died at the scene.

Mark Stewart KC, defending, said there had been a disagreement over money, and this had "spilled into violence".

He said what took place was "clearly not a one-sided incident", but self-defence could not be put forward as a reason for what then happened.

Passing sentence at the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Fairley told Whelan: "Given the seriousness of this offence to which you pleaded guilty to, it is clear that only a substantial custodial sentence is appropriate in the circumstances.

"I have read the victim impact statement provided to the court by Mr Jenkins' father. The extent of his pain and suffering is clear for all to see.

"He says losing his son in the way that he did is excruciating."

In a tribute at the time of his death, Mr Jenkins' family said: "Life wasn't always kind to you Mike, but you showed the world a lot of kindness.

"We all love you."

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