Killer who went on the run jailed

Scott Storey fled to Thailand while on bail for murder

A man who jumped bail and fled to Thailand after killing his lover has been jailed for life.

Scott Storey, 43, admitted killing Bridget Cameron, 35, in April 2004 after a cocaine-fuelled row at the house they shared in Edinburgh.

He was brought back to Scotland in April after more than three years on the run.

Judge Lord Kinclaven sentenced him to 12 years and six months before he will be considered for parole.

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Storey was told that the 11 months spent in a jail in Bangkok while awaiting extradition would count towards his minimum sentence.

At an earlier hearing Storey admitted murdering the mother-of-four at the home they shared in Pirniefield Bank.

Storey's years on the run ended when he left a boarding house in a "backwater resort" without paying his bill.

After his arrest by the Thai authorities, the British Embassy were tipped off and knew that extradition proceedings were already under way.

Advocate depute Alastair Carmichael, prosecuting, told how Bridget Cameron bled to death from a gaping wound to her neck.

Storey waited 45 minutes before dialling 999 - then tried to claim that she had inflicted the fatal wound herself.

Your abuse of alcohol and drugs may go some way to explain what happened but it does not excuse Judge Lord Kinclaven

Solicitor advocate Robbie Burnett, defending, told how what should have been "an intimate evening" turned to tragedy.

The couple had dropped their children off at a relative's house and had locked their door before taking - on Storey's account - up to three grammes of cocaine between them as well as 18 Valium, a litre of vodka and six cans of beer.

Mr Burnett said: "Both were severely under the influence of drink and drugs which proved to be a deadly cocktail.

"Had it not been for the cocktail of drink and drugs this incident would not have happened and would not have developed in the way it did."

Sentencing Storey, the judge said: "Your abuse of alcohol and drugs may go some way to explain what happened but it does not excuse. You remain accountable for your action."

Lord Kinclaven was told that Storey appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court two days after the murder and was remanded in custody pending further inquiries.

A month later Storey successfully appealed against the sheriff's ruling and a High Court judge ordered his release.

Storey failed to appear for trial in March 2005 and a warrant was issued for his arrest.