A “cruel and calculated” murderer has been jailed for life following the brutal killing of Aberdeenshire pensioner Brian McKandie.
Steven Sidebottom, 25, killed then robbed the 67-year-old mechanic at his home in Rothienorman in March 2016.
He was convicted of the crime at the High Court in Aberdeen last month.
Today Lord Uist sentenced him to 21 years in prison, saying Sidebottom launched a “severe and extreme” attack on the “inoffensive and popular” Mr McKandie.
He blasted the 25-year-old for continuing to deny his guilt, adding that he has “shown no remorse.”
And he said: “As you have already been told, the sentence for murder is fixed by law.
“I must now impose that sentence upon you. I sentence you to imprisonment for life.”
Sidebottom’s sentence will run for 21 years, backdated to February 1, 2019.
It is understood he is considering appealing both the conviction and the sentence.
Detective Superintendent Iain Smith said: “Sidebottom is a cruel and calculated murderer who has yet to show any remorse for his actions.
“He killed Brian within the pensioner’s own home in the most brutal of ways and a painstaking and thorough investigation was launched by Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team to bring this complex circumstantial case to court.
“The most important thing is that Brian’s family now has the justice they deserve, as well as his friends who sat through every day of evidence in court and the vast amount of acquaintances he amassed during the decades spent working as a handyman in Rothienorman.
“I would once again like to thank Brian’s family and in particular his brother Bill for their patience during the investigation and subsequent trial – they have all shown incredible dignity throughout.”
