An Aberdeen Boys’ Brigade leader was stabbed to death in her home as she sat eating dinner.
Lam Beaton, 25, said nothing as he knifed Sherry Bruce nine times in the living room of her Torry flat.
The High Court in Glasgow was told the horrific killing on April 3 last year came out of the blue and was totally unprovoked.
Beaton – also known as Thai Hoang – faced a murder charge but he was acquitted after prosecutors accepted he was suffering from a mental disorder at the time.
Speaking after today’s court appearance, Sherry’s daughter Laura Fulton told the Press and Journal: “The family are absolutely devastated at the outcome. It’s a bit of a shock.
“It doesn’t feel like justice, but knowing that he will be locked up getting treatment is a small peace of mind.
“Knowing that he might never get out of Carstairs is a little bit of peace of mind but it’s certainly not the outcome that we had hoped for.”
Beaton lived near Sherry, who also worked as a pupil support assistant at a special school.
He was friends with Regraig Bruce, who stayed with mum Sherry.
Prosecutor Alan Cameron said: “Lam Beaton had been to the flat on several occasions.
“He had met Sherry Bruce more than once. There was no history of ill feeling between him and either Regraig or Sherry Bruce.”
Unemployed Beaton visited the flat in Glenbervie Road on the afternoon of the killing and joined Regraig playing a games console.
Sherry later asked both if they wanted something to eat and she prepared dinner.
On being told it was ready, the pair joined her in the living room.
Mr Cameron said: “Regraig left the room to get their own food and then returned to sit on one of the sofas.
“At that time, Beaton got up and took his own plate to the kitchen.
“When he returned, he had a knife from the kitchen.
“Without saying anything, he approached Sherry Bruce where she sat, leaned over and repeatedly stabbed her with the knife.
“She screamed and tried to fight him off – but Beaton said nothing.”
Killer asked for trainers and fled scene
Regraig pulled Beaton away as injured Sherry managed to get up to try and grab her attacker.
But, Beaton lashed out with the blade again also repeatedly striking Regraig during a struggle.
Mr Cameron: “Beaton placed Regraig Bruce in a headlock and compressed their neck.
“Sherry Bruce then collapsed in the doorway of the living room.”
Beaton soon asked for his trainers and then fled the scene.
Regraig dialled 999 and ambulance crews arrived but were unable to save Sherry.
Regraig needed hospital treatment for a collapsed lung having also been knifed.
Police traced Beaton to his flat in Aberdeen. He was later quizzed, but made no comment.
The court heard a number of psychiatrists had prepared reports on Beaton and it was concluded he was suffering from a mental disorder at the time.
Mr Cameron said, as a result, it was accepted he was not “criminally responsible” for the attacks on Sherry and Regraig.
The advocate depute told the hearing: “Sherry Bruce’s family and friends are devastated by her death and the manner of it.”
Beaton is currently being treated at the State Hospital at Carstairs.
Lord Doherty imposed an interim compulsion order for him to remain at Carstairs meantime.
The case will call again in July.
Laura Fulton said: “My brother was severely traumatised by this ordeal. It was his friend.
“I just want my mum’s name to be remembered. She’s got grandchildren who are always talking about her.
“We have received a lot of messages from friends and family but we want a bit of space to process everything.”
It emerged after Sherry’s death that a total of £1,120 had been raised to be split between Aberdeen’s 20th Boys’ Brigade – where she was a “driving force” – and the Orchard Brae school.
Her family issued a statement through the police, which read: “She was a kind and caring mum with a soft heart who adored everyone she met.
“She was very family-oriented and devoted to her job. She was loyal and a wonderful grandmother and will be sorely missed.”