A killer who murdered a disabled man in a horror blaze in Inverness has been jailed for at least 19 years.
Ryan Brandie, 24, torched the home of chef Gary Gallogley in April last year – then confessed to his partner.
Brandie initially hit the 54 year-old with his own walking stick before starting two fires at the flat in the Raigmore estate.
Tragic Mr Gallogley – who had moved north from Lanarkshire several years ago – died two days later in hospital after suffering severe burns.
Brandie was today convicted of murder following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
Lord Mulholland told him the killing was “vicious and hateful”.
The judge said: “He was a man who had done you no harm. He presented no threat to you.
“For no reason, you assaulted him by striking him with his walking stick. This rendered him more infirm and unable to escape.
“You set two fires in his small flat – one in the bedroom and one close to where he was lying in the living room.
“The death must have been painful and horrific.”
Jurors heard during the trial how Brandie claimed he would get “17 years” for the crime.
But, imposing the life sentence, Lord Mulholland told him: “I will set the punishment part at 19 years – not the 17 years, as you thought.”
The murder occurred on April 3 last year.
Mr Gallogley had been described as a “pleasant man” and a “cheeky chappie”.
Brandie’s partner Rhona MacLeod lived in the same block as disabled Mr Gallogley.
It is thought Brandie pounced on the defenceless victim as he believed Mr Gallogley had argued with his lover.
Prosecutors stated the the killer set fire to bedding and clothes at the flat in Mackintosh Road.
Mr Gallogley suffered 60% burns and died two days later in Raigmore Hospital.
Brandie made up a number of claims after the murder – including he was elsewhere at the time.
This was branded “simply ridiculous” by prosecutor Bernard Ablett in his speech to jurors.
But it emerged Brandie admitted what he had done to Ms Macleod, detailing how he hit Mr Gallogley before starting the fire with a lighter.
Jurors heard Brandie then turned on her and demanded her silence. It was also claimed he threatened to burn down her flat.
He told her: “If you grass, I will drag you into it. Just don’t grass on me.”
But Ms Macleod was so traumatised by the confession, she eventually went to police.
Officers went on to overhear a phone conversation she then had with Brandie.
Ms Macleod said to him: “You murdered him?”
Brandie replied: “Yeah, I did.”
CCTV from around the time also linked him to the killing.
The court was told yesterday Brandie had been jailed for assault and housebreaking in 2016 as well as other convictions for violence.
Mr Gallogley had moved to the Highlands a few years ago and relatives said he “loved the life”. He first moved to Aviemore to work in a hotel, but then moved further north to Inverness and decided to stay.
He had worked in a number of hotels in Inverness, but was not working at the time of the tragedy.
Mr Gallogley had just returned from attending his brother-in-law’s funeral in the Central Belt the day before the blaze.
Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Eddie Ross said: “Gary Gallogley was a vulnerable man who did nothing to deserve his brutal and savage death at the hands of Ryan Brandie.
“Brandie’s actions which led to Mr Gallogley’s death and his subsequent efforts to avoid taking responsibility afterwards were both wicked and reckless. It is right that he will face the consequences of his horrendous behaviour.
“While nothing can change what happened, I hope this conviction can bring some form of closure to Mr Gallogley’s family.”