Smirking killer caged
Thug knifed man to death while on bail then fled from Scotland
A CALLOUS killer smiled as he was led from the dock yesterday after being handed a life sentence for a “cold-blooded” murder.
Robert Letham, 32, stabbed Steven Russell, 20, to death after arranging to meet him to pay off a drug debt in Glasgow.
He inflicted the fatal wound with a knife he had hidden up his sleeve then tried to dodge justice by fleeing to England.
But the serial offender was caught when he brazenly tried to claim benefits in Bridgwater, Somerset.
Judge Lady Rae handed Letham a minimum jail term of 22 years and three months.
She told him: “You have been found guilty by the jury of what has been described as a coldblooded, premeditated murder of a young man.
“This was a vicious, senseless attack on a 20-year-old man.
“Not satisfied with fatally stabbing Steven Russell, you then chased him until he collapsed and assaulted another young man by attempting to strike him with the same knife you used on Mr Russell. Thereafter you disposed of evidence and travelled out of this jurisdiction to avoid facing up to what you had done.”
Letham was already on two separate bail orders and had 46 previous convictions when he murdered Steven in Possilpark in February.
Lady Rae accused him of having “no regard whatsoever” for bail orders. She said: “You have an unenviable schedule of previous convictions.
“There are 46 separate convictions representing 76 separate offences. Significantly, several involve violence and at least four involve the possession of sharp weapons.
“Thirty-nine of your offences were committed while you were on bail and that is significant. The crimes I have to deal with were committed while you were on two separate bail orders.
“It is obvious you have no regard whatsoever for the conditions of bail orders.
“In respect of the murder charge, there is only one sentence which I can impose and that is life imprisonment.”
The High Court in Glasgow was told how Letham attacked Russell in front of witnesses.
He was found guilty of murder, assault and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.