A Peterhead man receives a 17-year sentence for a violent murder linked to a drug robbery.
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A man from Peterhead has been sentenced to a minimum of 17 years in prison for the murder of a father of two, Andrew Ross, during a violent drug robbery that escalated into a ferocious knife attack. The High Court in Aberdeen delivered the sentence, highlighting the brutal nature of the crime that took place in February of the previous year.
Luke Allan, 29, was found guilty of murder after a seven-day trial, while his younger brother, Ethan Carlyle, 23, was convicted of a lesser charge of assault with a knife.
The court heard that on February 5, 2023, Mr. Ross, accompanied by two others, attempted to rob Allan’s home on Ives Road, armed with a crowbar. In response, Allan and Carlyle armed themselves with kitchen knives and confronted the intruders.
During the confrontation, CCTV footage captured the harrowing moments when Mr. Ross was attacked, sustaining 18 stab wounds. Tragically, one of the wounds inflicted by Allan was determined to be fatal, striking the heart and leading to massive blood loss and cardiac arrest.
In court, Carlyle’s defense argued that he had not sought out trouble but had acted out of concern for his brother. His lawyer, Neil Beardmore, emphasized that Carlyle’s involvement was a reaction to the robbery attempt. Judge Graham Buchanan acknowledged Carlyle’s lesser role in the incident, stating that while he had inflicted a knife wound, he was not responsible for Mr. Ross’s death.
Conversely, Allan’s defense claimed that he had been provoked by the robbery and had acted in a moment of panic. His lawyer, Brian McConnachie, argued that Allan had attempted to distance himself from the area prior to the incident due to previous troubles. However, the judge condemned Allan’s actions as a grossly disproportionate response to the initial threat, noting that he had pursued Mr. Ross and inflicted a savage attack after the immediate danger had passed.
Following the sentencing, Cathy Ross, the mother of the victim, expressed her devastation over her son’s murder, emphasizing the impact on his daughters who have lost a loving father. She described Andrew as a kind-hearted individual who always had a smile for everyone. Detective Inspector James Callander from the Major Investigation Team North remarked on the lack of remorse shown by both Allan and Carlyle throughout the investigation and trial, hoping that the convictions would provide some comfort to Mr. Ross’s grieving family.
This tragic case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of violence and the devastating effects of crime on families and communities. As the legal proceedings conclude, the families involved are left to navigate the aftermath of this senseless act of violence.
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