Best mate murderer given life
A MAN was jailed for life yesterday after being found guilty of murdering his best friend on a camping trip.
William Cameron, 39, of Paisley, was ordered to serve at least 17 years behind bars before being eligible for parole.
Cameron smashed 43-year-old Darryl Fitch over the head with a blunt instrument, causing him to fall from height into water.
The attack, which left Darryl, also of Paisley, with four huge wounds to the back of his head, took place at Locher Water at the River Gryffe, near Bridge of Weir, between July 10 and 13, 2015.
Judge Lord Mulholland told Cameron, who claimed his friend had been killed by a stranger: “You spun a web of deceit to try to hide your actions.”
“I take into account your actions in not seeking help for Darryl Fitch as he lay dying in the water.”
The High Court in Glasgow heard that although Cameron had his pal’s mobile phone to hand, as well as a whistle, he did not use them to summon help.
Pathologist Dr Marjorie Turner told jurors Daryl also had injuries consistent with falling from a height.
She said the cause of death was massive blood loss from the head injuries and drowning.
Darryl had 26 injuries including a black eye, fractured eye socket, broken ribs and a fractured neck.