THUG GUILTY OF MURDER

Facing life sentence for fatal stabbing

A Hamilton knife thug has been convicted of murdering a love rival.

Declan Blythe ( left) fatally stabbed Cameron Mcmillan, 23, in Motherwell, on May 19, 2019.

The 23- year- old killer had been dating Mr Mcmillan’s former partner Amy Newton at the time.

Jurors heard a suggestion that the young mum may have been “toying with the affections” of both men.

Miss Newton invited Cameron back to the flat she shared with Blythe for a house party shortly before the attack.

Blythe went on to stab the dad in the street – but later claimed not to know how his victim was injured.

He is now behind bars after being found guilty of murder following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Blythe faces a life sentence when he returns to the dock in January.

The killer and Miss Newton, 22, had been living together for around five months at the time.

But, she told an earlier trial – halted due to the pandemic lockdown in March – that she confessed to Blythe of still loving Mr Mcmillan.

Blythe was left “upset and gutted”.

In her speech to the jury at this latest trial, prosecutor Shanti Maguire said:“you may have a view that she was toying with the affections of both these young men.”

The mum and Blythe still intended to go on holiday with family in the summer of 2019.

But she was asked in court about discussing any“plans”with Mr Mcmillan for after the break.

Miss Newton stated: “I said I would maybe think about getting back with him after the holiday, but I was not sure.”

Jurors heard how the murder occurred after Mr Mcmillan turned up at the flat his ex shared with Blythe.

One witness said it was a“shock”to see him. Blythe was described as“not in the mood for a party”.

Blythe told this trial that he wanted to leave and called a taxi.

He claimed to then be standing in the street with co-accused Stephen Glen, 37, when Mr Mcmillan came out brandishing a knife. However, Miss Newton told the trial her ex was not armed.

Blythe insisted he got hold of Mr Mcmillan’s arm but did not touch any blade.

In her closing speech, prosecutor Shanti Maguire told jurors:“he does not know how Cameron Mcmillan sustained the stab wound.”

The court heard the fatal blow to the chest area would have required a“severe” amount of force.

Miss Maguire said Blythe’s claims were “wholly incredible”.

The advocate depute also recalled Miss Newton being quizzed about Mr Mcmillan being at her flat that night.

Said Miss Maguire:“she was asked what did she think of her decision to invite him up. She said:‘i shouldn’t have’.”

Blythe was further convicted of two separate assault charges.

Glen, of Carfin, Lanarkshire, was also found guilty of assault. He was bailed and will be sentenced at the same date.

Police Scotland this week said:“declan

Blythe now has to deal with the consequences of his actions”.

Detective Inspector Cammy Miller added:“although this verdict can’t change what happened in the street on that morning, I hope that the outcome gives some sense of justice to Cameron’s family.

“Our thoughts remain with them and with the rest of his loved ones, as they continue to come to terms with their tragic loss.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank members of the public for coming forward and assisting with our investigation, which led to this prosecution.this should send a clear message that violent crime will not be tolerated in Lanarkshire.”