Drink den killer jailed for life

Muir will have to serve 14 years before he is able to apply for parole

A man has been jailed for life for kicking another man to death in a drinking den in West Dunbartonshire.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that Thomas Muir, 45, attacked Valentine Dalzell after he refused a drink at the flat in Clydebank on 21 February.

During the attack, Muir covered his 48-year-old victim's head with a jacket to stop blood from getting on the floor.

Judge Lord Menzies said Muir would have to serve 14 years before he is able to apply for parole.

Muir had denied murder but was found guilty in September by a majority verdict.

During his trial, the jury heard how he attacked Mr Dalzell after he refused another drink.

Muir later told police: "He was very cheeky to me. I turned round and said 'Would you like to put your clothes on, mate, and we will go outside and have a square go.'

In the sordid surroundings of a drinking den, while Valentine Dalzell was lying under a duvet, naked, defenceless and vulnerable you murdered him Lord Menzies

"He said 'no' then I jumped for his head."

Sentencing Muir, Lord Menzies said: "I don't know how many times you kicked, stamped and jumped on Valentine Dalzell's head when he was lying on the floor of the flat at 49 Whitecrook Street on 21 February this year.

"In your police interview you estimated that it might have been 40 times. That may or may not be correct.

"You appear to have taken offence at his attitude, his refusal of your offer of a drink, his refusal to go outside and have a fight with you.

"In the sordid surroundings of a drinking den, while Valentine Dalzell was lying under a duvet, naked, defenceless and vulnerable you murdered him."