Killer’s legal bid for sentence to be cut rejected

A ONE-eyed science fiction fan who repeatedly plunged a “vampire skull” sword into his victim has lost a legal bid to have his sentence cut.

Adrian Hynd, 52, was jailed for life after being convicted last year of murdering Alexander Forbes with the 18-inch blade in Kirkcaldy on January 2 2017.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Mr Forbes, 25, suffered more than 100 wounds after being struck with the fantasy weapon at Hynd’s home.

Judge Lord Ericht imposed a minimum sentence of 18 years on Hynd, who is serving his sentence at Glenochil Prison i n Stirlingshire.

Hynd’s counsel Mark Stewart QC argued before judges at t he Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh that the term imposed on his client was too lengthy.

He said that Mr Hynd sustained injuries during the i ncident which were defensive i n nature and showed that he had come under attack.

However, j udges Lady Dorrian, Lord Malcolm and Lord Menzies rejected Mr Stewart’s submissions.

Lady Dorrian said: “We cannot say this sentence was excessive and for this reason the appeal must fall.”

The trial at the High Court in Edinburgh heard that Hynd, an operations manager for a cleaning firm, started fighting with Mr Forbes. He then repeatedly stabbed him.

A pathologist found more than 100 i njuries on Mr Forbes’ body. Tests found cocaine in the dead man’s blood and enough alcohol to put him at seven times the drink-driving limit.

Hynd claimed he was acting in self-defence.

However, jurors rejected his claims and convicted him of murder.