SCALES OF JUSTICE Man receives 18 years for screwdriver murder

A MURDERER has been jailed for at least 18 years for killing a 38-year-old man with a screwdriver.

Scott Agnew was ordered to spend at least 18-and-a-half-years behind bars for the murder of his former workmate Stewart Rexter in Airdrie on November 3, 2016.

A court previously heard that Agnew, 29, attacked Mr Rexter - locally known as Chico - over a drug debt, stabbing him in the head once with a six-inch screwdriver piece.

The attack took place around 5pm in the town’s Victoria Place.

Agnew, from Coatbridge, then threw the weapon out of his car window, a BMW X5, and drove off. Mr Rexter died of his injuries in hospital two days later.

Yesterday at the High Court in Edinburgh, Agnew was handed the sentence after a jury found him guilty of assault, murder and previously evince malice and ill-will, as well as attempting to defeat the ends of justice and misuse of drugs.

Speaking following the sentencing, Nicky Patrick, Procurator Fiscal for Homicide and Major Crime, said: “Scott Agnew carried out a vicious and brutal attack with a screwdriver which led to his victim’s death. Showing no remorse he instead attempted to cover up his terrible act by disposing of the weapon.

“Justice has been served with Agnew brought to account for this terrible crime and he now faces a substantial prison sentence.”