Jealous ex jailed for knife death

McDonald admitted murdering Laura Thomson at a house in Ayr

A man who admitted murdering his ex-girlfriend in a fit of jealousy during a fight has been jailed for life at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Stuart McDonald, 21, stabbed 18-year-old Laura Thomson in the neck after alleged taunts from her over other men.

The attack, at his twin brother's home in Ayr, on 1 June, happened a short time after McDonald had assaulted her.

Lord Kinclaven told McDonald that he would have to serve at least 11 years before being eligible for parole.

He said: "Tragically this case has had far reaching consequences for everyone who has been touched by the death of Laura Thomson.

"Both her parents are understandably devastated by her death."

Neck wound

During McDonald's trial, the court heard how he and Ms Thomson, both from Ayr, split up in February but still occasionally saw each other.

The night before the attack he came into a bar where she was drinking and told a friend he was "going to do her in".

The following evening McDonald assaulted Ms Thomson during an argument in the grounds of a local church.

His twin brother, Jamie, took her back to his house but McDonald followed them.

He was thought to have left his brother's house when others there heard screaming from the hall.

They saw that Ms Thomson was hurt and that McDonald had a knife in his hand.

Doctors at Ayr Hospital later found that the fatal wound had severed vital blood vessels in Ms Thomson's neck.

She had other stab wounds to her face and cuts to her hands where she had tried to fend off the blade.