Murdered man faced jail sentence

By Angie Brown
BBC Scotland news website, Edinburgh and East reporter

The attack took place in the Granton area of the city

A man murdered while walking with his girlfriend and her two children in Edinburgh was facing a prison term for drugs offences.

Sean Hay had been due to be sentenced last week after admitting being concerned in the supply of drugs, but the case was deferred until next month.

The 23-year-old, of Wardieburn Road, was stabbed by three men in Wardieburn Street West at 2230 BST on Tuesday.

Mr Hay's lawyer, Kenneth Cloggie, spoke of his "shock" over the murder.

Mr Cloggie, of C&N Defence, told BBC Scotland news website: "I feel very sorry for him (Mr Hay) because he was a well-mannered man, who was polite and always very grateful for the advice you gave him.

"I am shocked and think it is a shame because he was a young guy and he certainly wasn't a violent person.

"His previous charges were for misdemeanours rather than anything serious, they were never for assault or for carrying knives or anything like that.

"I only spoke to him last week and had he told me he was in danger I would have told him to go and speak to someone."

Mr Hay was caught with a large quantity of heroin in his home, which he said he was holding for someone else because of his drug debts. He told the police he was not involved in selling drugs.

He pleaded guilty to drugs charges at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in June. His sentencing was deferred last week because a social inquiry report had not been produced on time.

He had been due to return to court on 5 August, when the sheriff would have had the power to jail him for up to five years.