Pair jailed for killing witness

The killers spotted Gordon Dickson at a shop in Wishaw

Two men have been jailed for at least 34 years for killing a father-of-three who had given evidence against one of them at another trial.

Gordon Dickson, 28, was attacked on a street in Wishaw, Lanarkshire, in front of two children by James Campbell, 31, and Martin McGillivray, 33.

After stabbing him five times, Campbell said: "That's what you get for being a grass."

Mr Dickson had previously given evidence against McGillivray.

A jury at the High Court in Glasgow convicted Campbell of murder and found McGillivray guilty of the reduced charge of culpable homicide.

Judge Rita Rae QC jailed Campbell for life with a minimum sentence of 20 years and sentenced McGillivray to 14 years.

She told the pair: "In view of the jury's verdicts, it is clear that both of you were responsible for your parts in causing the death of Gordon Dickson."

The attack happened outside a shop in Gowkthrapple in Wishaw on 23 January.

They are just scum for what they done. They don't seem that bothered, but we had an idea that they would be like that Janice Dickson Victim's mother

Mr Dickson had told police in 2007 that he had been assaulted by McGillivray.

However, McGillivray was cleared of the charge at a later trial.

The court heard that months later McGillivray spotted Mr Dickson at a Wishaw shop. He pointed him out to his friend Campbell and handed him a knife.

Campbell chased the 28-year-old before stabbing him in the face and body.

Mr Dickson's fiancée's 12 year-old daughter Natalie witnessed the incident and immediately screamed for help.

Campbell told her and another youngster to "say nothing".

During the trial Campbell admitted being responsible for the death but denied he had intended to kill Mr Dickson.

He also claimed the knife had belonged to him and that McGillivray had not given him the weapon.

'Justice served'

Outside court, the victim's mother, Janice Dickson, said "justice had been served" with the verdicts.

She added: "They are just scum for what they done. They don't seem that bothered, but we had an idea that they would be like that."

Mr Dickson's brother, James, said: "Campbell didn't even know Gordon, so for him to take orders and murder him, he must be off his head."

No mention was made of McGillivray's previous court case during the trial, but after the verdicts the judge was given the details.

'No remorse'

Judge Rae described the murder as "a senseless death."

She said: "This was a planned and pre-meditated incident. The motive was some history regarding the victim giving information to those in authority.

"I have detected no real remorse. You, Campbell, shrugged your shoulders when asked by your counsel what you would say now to the victim's family."

She added: "You, McGillivray, must have been aware that serious violence would be inflicted. You identified the person that would be attacked and there was evidence that you instigated the attack."

They both joked and smiled to friends and relatives as they were led to the cells.