A violent drug user who sexually assaulted and murdered an Aberdeen grandmother in a frenzied knife attack was jailed for life today.
Crack cocaine-fuelled Norman Duncan stabbed Margaret Robertson, 54, at least 25 times during the fatal assault at a flat in Seaton’s Promenade Court.
A judge told Duncan: “This was a sustained and merciless attack inflicted upon a defenceless woman in her home.”
Lord Harrower ordered at the High Court in Edinburgh that the murderer must serve 20 years in prison before he is eligible to seek parole.
But the judge warned the 43-year-old: “This does not mean you will be released automatically at the end of that period.”
He said his date of release, if any, would depend on the view taken by the Parole Board of the risks he posed to public safety.
Family’s long wait for justice
Ms Robertson’s children, Michelle and Mark, issued a statement following the sentencing.
They said: “As a family we have waited over two-and-a-half years for justice which has put a massive strain on our own lives and relationships.
“We would like to thank all those involved bring it to court and who have supported us during this period, in particular the bereavement counsellors who helped many of the family.
“We have sat through weeks of harrowing, devastating evidence which will stay with us for the rest of our lives.
“Margaret, or Meg as she was to us, was a much-loved mum, daughter, grandma and friend to many. It is hard to comprehend our mum has been taken from us and she is in our thoughts every day and we hope she can finally rest in peace.
“We would ask for our privacy to be respected at this difficult time.”
Lengthy criminal record
The court heard that Duncan has amassed 74 previous convictions and that 58 of them had led to custodial sentences being imposed.
His lengthy criminal record includes convictions for serious assault, assault with a weapon, assault with intent to rob and mobbing and rioting.
Duncan had denied murdering Ms Robertson or Fullerton, who was known as Meg, at her home at Promenade Court on September 25 in 2019.
But he was found guilty of the murder during which he struggled with his victim, touched her breast, sexually penetrated her vagina and repeatedly stabbed her on the head, neck and body with a knife.
The court heard that he had been abusing psychoactive drugs while in prison which left him unfit for trial.
He was subsequently placed in the high-security State Hospital at Carstairs before being returned to the prison system.
Defence solicitor advocate Iain Paterson said Duncan was diagnosed with a schizo affective disorder and was taking antipsychotic medication.
He said the father-of-two has struggled with drugs since the age of 26.
The court heard that the murder victim was left lying near-naked in her flat where she was found by a friend who thought it odd to find the front door to her home unlocked.
He alerted emergency services.
When Duncan was questioned about the savage slaying he told police: “It’s f*** all to do with me.”
Jurors heard that on the day of the killing he made three trips to the block of flats where his victim resided in search of crack cocaine.
Duncan twice sourced the Class A drug from another resident at the flats but claimed he failed to get more of it on his final visit.
He later told police that he could spend up to £100 a day on crack if he had the money.
Between visits he changed out of a Nike tracksuit and donned an Under Armour tracksuit.
He told detectives: “The reason I changed my tracksuit is because I got a brand new tracksuit.”
But the Crown maintained that Duncan had another motive for switching his clothing after visiting the flats.
Advocate depute Bill McVicar said that during the 109 minutes Duncan spent at Promenade Court during an initial visit he had “ample time to source and collect his crack cocaine” and carry out the murder.
The prosecutor said: “If there was no blood on his clothing there was no good reason for him to change his clothing or his shoes before returning to Promenade Court to buy more drugs.”
The court heard that DNA matching Duncan was found under his victim’s fingernails and she was seen to have sustained defensive injuries as she tried to protect herself.
Other forensic evidence also pointed to Duncan as the murderer.
The cause of death was certified as multiple stab wounds to the neck and face.
When Duncan, formerly of Northsea Court and Seaton Walk, in Aberdeen, was detained by police he was initially found to be unfit for interview.
He originally faced further charges of possessing cocaine and attempting to defeat the ends of justice by changing out of blood-stained clothing and trainers and washing them, discarding a knife, hiding from police and providing false details to officers.
The Crown withdrew those charges during the trial and he was acquitted on them.
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