Three men and a woman have been jailed for at least 20 years for the brutal murder of a much-loved son.
Steven Hutton, 43, was hit with a hammer and stabbed in the heart during a late-night home invasion at his flat in Dundee in March 2024.
He was taken to the city’s Ninewells Hospital, but died the following day.
Brian Miller, 29, Scott Henderson, 40, Barry Murray, 45, and Carri Stewart, 44, were on Monday found guilty of murder following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
The killers were each handed a life sentence, and will spend at least two decades behind bars.
In her sentencing statement, Judge Lady Haldane said the evidence provided a “compelling picture of a plan to inflict serious violence upon Mr Hutton in his own home”.
The judge described it as a “frenzied assault”, which in part was sparked due to a “missing packet of Pregabalin medication”.
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‘Callous’ behaviour
Lady Haldane stated: “Steven Hutton lost his life in these horrific circumstances, compounded by the fact that not one of you sought to seek assistance for him as he lay dying until you were all well clear of the property.
“That is behaviour that can only be described as callous.”
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The judge paid tribute to Mr Hutton’s family and friends.
She added: “Those close to Mr Hutton, in particular his mother, have attended faithfully every day of this trial, and their quiet dignity throughout what must have been at times harrowing and distressing evidence stands in stark contrast to your behaviour.
“Mrs Hutton has in addition provided a detailed and moving account of her relationship with Mr Hutton, her only son, and the impact his loss has had upon her.
“I thank her for taking the time to prepare this thoughtful document, and I have taken all that she has said into account.”
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Detective Inspector Richard Baird said the killers “now face the consequences of their actions”.
He added: “This was an unprovoked attack that cost Steven Hutton his life. We hope this conviction brings some form of comfort to Steven’s family.”
