Hammer killer shattered pal’s skull in row over stolen pants and socks
SENTENCED 20 YEARS FOR BLUDGEONER Murderer turned on man who gave him a home when he hit hard times
A HAMMER killer who smashed a man’s skull in a row over stolen underwear was jailed for at least 20 years yesterday.
Gordon McCrone pounded Malcolm McLaren’s head at least 13 times with the claw hammer.
He also smashed several of Malcolm’s ribs and left the body in a blood-spattered living room.
Malcolm had taken McCrone in as a lodger after he lost his job as a delivery driver and his marriage broke up.
At the High Court murder trial in Glasgow, McCrone’s claim that he had acted in self-defence was rejected by a jury.
Judge Lord Arthurson yesterday jailed the 46-year-old for life.
The judge told him: “Your victim was a loving, caring brother, father and uncle who had taken you into his home.
“I have received a full and moving victim impact statement from your victim’s sister. This has affected them profoundly.
“You committed a brutal and savage murder with a claw hammer. You caused devastating injuries to your victim in his own home.”
Malcolm, 40, died at his home in Clark Street, Airdrie, last September. The court heard McCrone was angry because he believed Malcolm was stealing his underwear and socks.
He snapped when he thought Malcolm had taken his laptop and his late father’s jewellery.
After killing Malcolm, McCrone tried to cover his tracks. He got rid of his bloodstained hoodie and shoes.
He even sent text messages to Malcolm’s phone. The last text he sent said: “What are you up to Malky.
“My son and aunt say there is police tape everywhere, r u home, everything OK?”
When asked why he disposed of bloodstained clothing and sent texts, he replied: “I was trying to beat the system.
“When I looked at the living room, it was a horror scene. I
LORD ARTHURSON
didn’t want to admit what I had done.” McCrone told the jury Malcolm attacked him with a hammer and but he grabbed it. He said they began arguing and said: “He was constantly stealing from me.” McCrone was asked by defence QC Ian Duguid: “You told police he was taking your underwear and socks.” He replied: “That’s correct.” McCrone said: “Malcolm was swinging the hammer. I was in a fight for my life. Malcolm did put up a ferocious fight. “We were fighting. I pleaded with him to behave and stop fighting.” McCrone added: “I believe I did overreact and possibly hit him more than I should have. I was wildly swinging the hammer with my right hand. I’m left-handed.
“If I had been using my left hand I could have possibly knocked him out with one or two blows.”
The only injury a pathologist found on McCrone was a bruised his wrist.
McCrone confessed to his ex-wife in a letter written from jail. It said: “My temper got the better of me.
“But he tried to stop me calling the police by hitting me with the hammer first and paid the price. I am not proud of what I did.”
Yesterday, his QC said: “Prior to this incident, Mr McCrone only had a driving conviction and no history or violence.”
McCrone showed no emotion as he was led away to begin his sentence.