Thug is convicted of stabbing ex-Mr Scotland to death
A MAN was yesterday convicted of killing a former Mr Scotland bodybuilding champion.
Michael O’Hanlon died from massive blood loss after being stabbed four times by Steven Kirkwood, 44, in July last year.
Kirkwood was originally charged with murder, but the jury at the High Court in Glasgow unanimously convicted him of the reduced charge of culpable homicide under provocation.
He claimed he had acted in self defence after being assaulted by Mr O’Hanlon, 45, and his 52-year-old friend Forbes Cowan.
Judge Lady Rae said: ‘This is a very serious offence, although it has been reduced to culpable homicide, particularly in view of his record for violence, and the degree of violence that was occasioned in this particular case.’
The court had heard Kirkwood’s former partner was in a relationship with the victim, who was from Irvine, Ayrshire.
The killer issued a Facebook challenge to Mr O’Hanlon, saying: ‘If you want to be Johnny Big Baws feel free to come to Hammy’s and see me. I will be there at 12.’
A confrontation then took place at the HK Autotek garage in Stevenston, Ayrshire, on July 25, last year.
Garage owner Ian Hamilton, 40, from Saltcoats, Ayrshire, told the court that he saw Kirkwood with a large knife.
He added: ‘It was a large Bowie-type knife with a six to eight-inch blade.’
Kirkwood denied taking the knife with him and claimed he picked it up from the office floor in the garage as he was being assaulted by Mr O’Hanlon and Mr Cowan.
In evidence, Kirkwood admitted he had stabbed Mr O’Hanlon, but claimed he was acting in self defence.
Prosecutor Richard Goddard said: ‘Mr Kirkwood has an extensive record for violence and for carrying weapons.’
Sentence was deferred on
‘Long running dispute’
Kirkwood until next month. He showed no emotion as he was led away.
Detective Superintendent Allan Burton said: ‘This was a senseless death which was the consequence of a longrunning dispute between the two men.
‘Steven Kirkwood armed himself with a knife in anticipation of a confrontation and used it to deadly effect.
‘The family of Michael O’Hanlon continue to cope with the loss of their loved one.
‘Two families have been left distraught as a result of this confrontation. Tragically, both men had every opportunity to put their differences aside.’