Jail for Big Issue seller killer

Patrick McDade was murdered in his home by his friend

A man who stabbed a Big Issue seller to death in Dundee will serve at least 11 years and three months in jail.

Patrick McDade, known as Paddy, was murdered at his Brown Constable Street flat on 17 January. His father found his body almost a week later.

Paul Clark, 33, told police that he knifed his friend 24 times because Mr McDade had lied about money that was supposed to buy them drugs.

He then covered the body with a blanket and spent the night in the flat.

The High Court in Edinburgh had previously heard that Clark, who had been living in homeless accommodation, admitted murdering Mr McDade by repeatedly striking him with a knife.

The court heard that both the murderer and his victim used heroin and sold the Big Issue magazine on the streets of Dundee "partly to fund their addictions".

This crime is yet another example of the tragedy and degradation brought upon individuals by the abuse of drugs Lord Brailsford

The day before the killing, Clark sold some of his late grandmother's furniture, without his family's knowledge, to raise £180 to buy drugs.

He gave some of the money to Mr McDade, 37, who was going to get the pair heroin.

However, Mr McDade later told Clark he had given the cash to someone else to buy the drugs, but that person had run off with the money.

The court heard Clark later overheard a conversation which gave the impression that Mr McDade had lied about the cash.

This terrible case shows the fatal results that can follow when people pick up and use knives David Griffiths Procurator Fiscal

Passing a life sentence at the High Court in Paisley, Lord Brailsford said Clark had become irrationally angry at having been duped, and acted with extreme ferocity.

He told him: "This crime is yet another example of the tragedy and degradation brought upon individuals by the abuse of drugs.

"Both you and your victim were heroin addicts."

Speaking after the sentencing, District Procurator Fiscal for Dundee David Griffiths said: "This terrible case shows the fatal results that can follow when people pick up and use knives.

"It also shows the dreadful consequences that drug misuse can bring about.

"Patrick McDade was a well-known and well-liked figure in Dundee city centre. My thoughts go out to his family and loved ones."